WASHINGTON — It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and businesses are offering freebies and discounts to teachers, school staff members and other educators as a thank you.
What is Teacher Appreciation Week?
The recognition efforts were led by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt as she urged Congress to designate a day to thank teachers in 1953. The day was originally celebrated on March 7, but was moved to May in 1984.
Since 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association has dedicated the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.
What kind of deals can I get during Teacher Appreciation Week?
Here are some of the offerings various businesses are giving to educators to thank them for their work. Keep in mind, most of these require a valid ID, like a school ID badge, to claim.
- Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza: Teachers can get a 20% discount on all orders Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12 with a valid ID.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Teachers and other school staff can get 20% off their orders from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12. Offer applies to dine-in, call-in and carry-out orders.
- BurgerFi: Teachers can get 20% off all orders with a valid ID from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12.
- Golden Corral: Teachers are able to get 20% off one adult buffet purchases from Monday, May 6 to Friday, May 10 with a valid ID.
- The Greene Turtle: All teachers and school staff with a valid ID can get a free meal worth up to $15 on Tuesday, May 7.
- Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream: Teachers get a 10% discount at participating locations from Monday, May 6 to Friday, May 10.
- Hat Creek Burger Company: All teachers and school staff can get a free six-piece order of nuggets on Tuesday, May 7 with a valid ID.
- HTeaO: Teachers with a valid ID can get 50% off cups of tea from Monday, May 13 to Sunday, May 26.
- Huddle House: Teachers can get a free meal from Monday, May 6 to Friday, May 10. Students are also able to nominate one of their teachers to win free meals for a year at participating locations.
- Insomnia Cookies: Any teacher or school staff member who shows a valid ID at one of the bakery's locations will get a free classic cookie from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12.
- Jeremiah's Italian Ice: Teachers can get a free small Italian ice on Tuesday, May 7 with a valid ID.
- Peter Piper Pizza: Teachers can get a free personal pizza every day from Monday, May 6 through Friday. May 10. Customers can get one per day, and must show a valid ID.
- Potbelly Sandwich Works: Teachers can get a free cookie or fountain drink with the purchase of an entrée by showing their ID Monday, May 6 through Sunday, May 12.
- Raising Cane's: Teachers can enter a giveaway to be one of 10 who will receive an all-expenses-paid summer vacation. Applications are open from Monday, May 6 to Friday, May 10.
- Salata Salad Kitchen: Teachers and other educators get a 20% discount on any order when they present a valid ID on Tuesday, May 7.
- Shipley Do-Nuts: Teachers who are signed up for the chain's loyalty program can get a free half-dozen box of glazed donuts with any purchase on Monday, May 6.
- Staples: Teachers with a valid ID can get a free supply kit at Staples locations that includes markers, pens, pencils and glue. The supply kits are available from Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11. Teachers also get 20% off in-store purchases when they present their ID at checkout.
- TGI Fridays: Teachers will be able to get a free entrée on Tuesday, May 7, at participating locations.
- The Halal Guys: Teachers can get 10% off their meal from Wednesday, May 8 to Friday, May 10, with a valid ID.
- Whataburger: Teachers and other school employees can get a free taquito, breakfast on a bun, or honey butter chicken biscuit from Monday, May 6 to Friday, May 10, with ID. The breakfast offerings are available from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.