Teacher Appreciation Week 2021 Complete Guide To Freebies And Discounts

Teacher Appreciation Week 2021 brought numerous freebies, discounts, and special offers from restaurants, retailers, and service providers to honor educators across the United States. Occurring primarily during the first week of May (May 3-9, 2021), this annual celebration saw businesses showing their appreciation through various deals ranging from complimentary food items to percentage discounts on purchases. This comprehensive guide details all verified offers available during this period, along with information on how educators could access these benefits.

Restaurant and Food Freebies

During Teacher Appreciation Week 2021, numerous restaurant chains offered special deals for educators:

• Sonic Drive-In: Teachers could receive a free large drink or slush with any purchase by using the promo code TEACHERS at checkout online or in the Sonic app.

• Buffalo Wild Wings: Participating locations offered 20% off orders for teachers who dined indoors or placed orders over the phone Monday through Friday of Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers needed to present a valid teacher ID to receive this discount.

• McAlister's Deli: Educators could enjoy a free tea until May 7, 2021, by presenting a teacher ID. Additionally, customers could nominate their favorite teacher to win free catering for them and their colleagues, with every nominee also receiving a free tea.

• McDonald's: While not specifically tied to Teacher Appreciation Week, McDonald's offered a free McFlurry through its mobile app on a Tuesday during this period. Some local McDonald's locations reportedly advertised other deals specifically for teachers during this week.

• Taco Bell: The chain's early Cinco de Mayo promotion offered free crunchy tacos on May 4 when ordering online or through the app. When ordering in-store, this offer was available until 11:59 p.m. While not exclusively for teachers, it coincided with Teacher Appreciation Week.

• Chick-fil-A: While not a nationwide promotion, some individual Chick-fil-A locations offered free items to teachers during this appreciation period.

Retail Discounts and Freebies

Several retailers provided special offers for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week:

• Office Depot: The store was celebrating teachers by giving 25% back in OfficeMax Rewards on qualifying purchases. A coupon for this offer was available online at officedepot.com/teachers.

• Staples: Teachers received 20% off in-store purchases during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-9, 2021) when they presented a valid school ID at checkout. This offer was available in-store only, with exclusions applying.

• The Parking Spot: Through May 7, 2021, teachers could get 25% off airport parking and 10% off thereafter at the nation's largest near-airport parking company, which operates 37 lots across 22 U.S. cities. To take advantage of this deal, teachers needed to create an account with a school email address.

Software and Digital Freebies

Several technology companies offered free or discounted software and services to teachers:

• Microsoft Office: Teachers could access Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and PowerPoint for free, providing valuable tools for organization and productivity.

• Rosetta Stone: Teachers, along with nurses and healthcare workers, could enjoy three months of free language learning services.

• P.volve Fitness: As a thank you to educators, P.volve offered 50% off everything to students and teachers.

Telecommunication Discounts

• Verizon: Teachers, along with nurses, military personnel, and first responders, could get an unlimited plan for $30/line per month for four lines with AutoPay, providing significant savings on mobile service.

Additional Resources for Teacher Discounts

• SheerID: This verification service had partnered with several brands for Teacher Appreciation Week to provide exclusive offers. Teachers could find a comprehensive list of available deals at sheerid.com/shoppers/teacherdeals.

• Factor: This meal delivery service offered over 50% off the first box, with a recurring discount for all other orders and free shipping, providing a convenient option for busy educators.

Year-Round Teacher Discounts on Apparel and Accessories

Beyond Teacher Appreciation Week, several brands offer ongoing discounts for educators:

• Adidas: Teachers can enjoy 30% off online and in-store or 20% off at outlet locations.

• Crocs: Educators receive a 15% discount on full-price styles.

• New Balance: Teachers get 15% off full-price purchases.

• Ray-Ban: Teachers can access a 15% discount on eyewear and 6% cashback.

• Tarte Cosmetics: The company offers a 40% discount on top-rated makeup and beauty products.

• Vera Bradley: Teachers receive a 10% discount on bags and luggage.

• J.Crew and Madewell: These apparel brands offer significant discounts to help teachers build professional yet comfortable wardrobes.

Eligibility and Verification Requirements

To access these teacher discounts and freebies, various verification methods were required:

• School Email Address: Many offers required teachers to create an account or verify their status using a school-issued email address.

• Teacher ID: Several restaurant and retail deals required presentation of a valid teacher ID at the time of purchase.

• Additional Documentation: Some offers required additional forms of verification such as a pay stub or state-issued photo ID alongside a teacher ID.

How to Find More Teacher Discounts

For educators seeking additional savings beyond Teacher Appreciation Week, several resources were available:

1. SheerID's Teacher Deals Page: This platform aggregated verified teacher discounts from multiple brands.

2. Direct Verification with Retailers: Many brands offer teacher discounts year-round, but require direct verification through their websites or stores.

3. Educator-Specific Websites: Resources like Fun Cheap or Free and Hustler Money Blog regularly update lists of current teacher freebies and discounts.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week 2021 provided numerous opportunities for educators to receive complimentary items, significant discounts, and special offers across various categories. From food and beverage establishments to retailers, technology companies, and service providers, businesses showed their appreciation for teachers' dedication and hard work. While many offers were specifically timed for Teacher Appreciation Week, some discounts and verification resources remain available year-round. Teachers should always verify current offers with individual businesses, as promotions may change, and requirements can vary by location.

Sources

1. Teacher Appreciation Week 2021: Freebies, deals and discounts
2. Thank you teachers! Freebies and Discounts
3. Teacher Appreciation Week 2021: Free food deals, freebies, discounts
4. 2025 Best Teacher Discounts
5. Legit Free Things for Teachers
6. Teacher Appreciation Week