Chicago Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 Complete Guide To Freebies Discounts And Special Offers

National Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, running from Monday, May 5 through Friday, May 9, presents numerous opportunities for educators in Chicago to receive recognition through special offers, discounts, and freebies. The week culminates on Tuesday, May 6, which is designated as National Teacher Day. Throughout this period, businesses across various sectors demonstrate their appreciation for teachers' dedication to education. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the available benefits specifically for educators in Chicago, detailing offers from restaurants, retailers, technology companies, and service providers.

Restaurant and Food Freebies During Teacher Appreciation Week

Several restaurants and food establishments in Chicago offer special deals for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. These offers range from free meals to significant discounts, with many requiring verification of educator status.

Chipotle provides one of the most notable offers, randomly selecting up to 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers who sign up online to receive a free entree. Additionally, on National Teacher Day (May 6), Chipotle offers teachers, faculty, and other school staff with valid school IDs a buy-one-get-one-free offer from 3 p.m. until closing.

Chick-fil-A participates in the celebration with location-specific offers. While there is no nationwide promotion, select Chicago locations provide special deals on May 6 and some extend offers throughout the week. Teachers are advised to call their closest location or check individual restaurant Facebook pages for specific details.

Arby's offers free sandwiches to teachers and school administrators with valid identification on National Teacher Day (May 6). Participation varies by location, so confirming with specific Chicago locations is recommended.

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen extends appreciation from Monday through Friday, allowing teachers dining in to receive a free appetizer with the purchase of an adult entree. No coupon is required for this offer.

Buffalo Wild Wings provides teachers with a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6, with this offer limited to dine-in service only. Additionally, teachers can sign up online for the Awesome Achievement Program to receive up to 90 certificates per school year to honor "Awesome Achiever" students with a free Snickers Pizookie.

Logan's Roadhouse expresses gratitude by offering teachers 20% off an entrée with valid identification from May 5-12, 2025.

Einstein Bros. Bagels contributes to the appreciation through May 24 by offering 20% off all gift card purchases, available exclusively online. This promotion provides a simple way for others to show appreciation while also offering teachers a discount on their own purchases.

McDonald's has also been known to participate in Teacher Appreciation Week with specific deals for educators, though details about 2025 offers require checking with individual locations.

Retail Discounts and Classroom Supplies Offers

Educators can find substantial savings on classroom supplies and other retail items during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Office Depot/Office Max offers teachers 25% back in bonus rewards on qualifying purchases through June 29, 2025. This in-store promotion requires a valid teacher ID for participation.

DoodleFace Crayon Boards provides a 20% discount on Amazon from May 5-9 with the code 20LOVETEACH. These reusable, mess-free boards pair jumbo, non-toxic crayons with a wipe-clean surface, specifically designed for classroom use and available in six fun designs.

Crayola enhances its support for educators by offering a 20% discount on products available on its Teacher Gift Ideas page online. Additionally, Crayola provides free teacher-approved resources through its Create and Play app.

Budget Truck Rental assists teachers who may be relocating by offering a 20% discount on local moves and 15% off one-way moves when using the discount code 'TEACH' at checkout.

Home Chef, the meal kit and food delivery service, recognizes teachers by offering 50% off their first box and 10% off each subsequent box order.

Technology and Software Discounts

Technology companies provide significant savings for educators, recognizing their role in educational advancement.

Adobe offers teachers up to 60% off the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan when they sign up as verified educators. This substantial discount enables teachers to access professional creative tools for educational purposes.

Apple extends its appreciation through the Apple Education Store, where verified educators receive exclusive discounts on new Macs, iPads, and other Apple technology products. These discounts make technology more accessible for both personal and classroom use.

Beauty and Personal Care Offers

Beauty and personal care brands also participate in Teacher Appreciation Week by offering educator-specific discounts.

Bare Minerals provides teachers with a 20% off sitewide discount on beauty and skincare products. Educators can visit the Bare Minerals website for details on claiming this offer.

Bose demonstrates its appreciation by offering teachers and educators $30 off purchases of $199 or more (excluding aviation headset purchases) when they verify their educator status.

Footwear and Apparel Discounts

Several companies in the footwear and apparel sectors offer teacher-specific promotions during appreciation week.

Crocs provides teachers and educators with an exclusive 15% discount upon verification of their educator status.

Under Armour, Adidas, and Nike are among the retailers offering discounts through the TeacherPerks.com program, connecting educators with savings on athletic apparel and footwear.

Chicago Teachers Union Specific Benefits

Chicago Teachers Union Members have access to additional benefits through specialized programs and partnerships.

TeacherPerks.com connects Chicago Teachers Union Members to over 200 top national retailers offering teacher discounts and private offers. Participating retailers include Sam's Club, Costco, Apple Education Store, Hotels.com, Chase Home Lending, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, TrueCar employee purchase program, GE Appliances Store, Microsoft Education Discount, Walt Disney World, Six Flags, HP Employee Purchase Program, Dell Member Purchase Program, and Lenovo. Teachers can register for instant access at the TeacherPerks.com login page for CTU members.

Avis Car Rental offers Chicago Teachers Union Members up to 35% off Pay Now Rates and up to 25% off Base Rates. Members can access this discount by calling 800-331-1212 and using discount code D134161 or by visiting the Avis website with the provided association code.

Additionally, Chicago Teachers Union Members can register for free in the Avis Preferred® program, with the discount code D134161 automatically stored in their profile for future rentals. This registration also enables members to earn points toward free rental days and upgrades. Existing Avis Preferred® Members should add the Chicago Teachers Union discount program code to their member profile to ensure automatic application of the discount.

Tips for Maximizing Teacher Appreciation Week Benefits

To fully capitalize on the available offers during Teacher Appreciation Week, educators should consider the following recommendations:

1. Always carry valid teacher identification, as many offers require verification of educator status.
2. Call ahead to confirm participation in location-specific offers, as participation can vary by establishment.
3. Register for programs like TeacherPerks.com and Avis Preferred® in advance to ensure seamless access to discounts.
4. Check expiration dates on offers, as some promotions may extend beyond Teacher Appreciation Week.
5. Take advantage of both digital and in-store offers, as different retailers may offer different redemption methods.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 provides Chicago educators with numerous opportunities to receive recognition through free meals, discounts on products and services, and special offers from a wide range of businesses. From restaurant deals and classroom supplies discounts to technology savings and travel benefits, teachers have multiple ways to feel appreciated during this special week. By planning ahead and carrying proper identification, educators can maximize these benefits and enjoy well-deserved recognition for their important contributions to education.

The variety of offers across different categories demonstrates the broad recognition of teachers' impact on communities and the value they provide to society. Whether through a free meal, discounted technology, or savings on classroom supplies, these offers collectively express gratitude for the dedication and hard work of educators throughout Chicago.

Sources

1. WAND - Teacher Appreciation Week Deals
2. Chicago Sun-Times - Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies
3. Courier Journal - Teacher Appreciation Day 2025 Deals
4. The Mirror - National Teacher's Day Freebies
5. Chicago Teachers Union Foundation - Teacher Perks
6. Wealth Waggle - Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 Deals
7. Secret Chicago - Teacher Appreciation Week Chicago 2025