Free Teacher Appreciation Week Offers And Perks For 2025

Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual celebration of educators and school staff for their hard work and dedication. In 2025, this event will take place from May 4 to May 9, with many participating businesses and restaurants offering special deals and freebies to show their support. These offers are a great way for teachers and school staff to receive recognition and small tokens of appreciation without spending a dime. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the free and discounted offers available during this week, including details on eligibility, how to redeem them, and where they are available.

Overview of Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025

Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025 will run from May 4 through May 9. During this period, numerous businesses and restaurants are offering exclusive deals and free items to educators and school staff. Many of these offers require a valid teacher or school ID for redemption, emphasizing the importance of having such identification on hand.

The week also includes a specific "Teacher Appreciation Day," often observed on May 5, when many locations provide additional perks. These offers are typically available in-store and may require presentation of a valid school ID at the time of purchase.

Free and Discounted Offers from Restaurants

Several popular restaurants and food chains are participating in Teacher Appreciation Week by offering free items and discounts. These offers vary in availability, with some being limited to specific dates or locations.

Sonic Drive-In

Sonic Drive-In is offering free snacks and meal deals through its Teachers’ Circle rewards program. Educators must sign up for the program via the Sonic app before May 5, after which they can redeem the following offers:

• Free Sonic Snack or Side with Purchase
• Buy One Sonic Blast, Get One Free
• $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger

These offers are available from May 5 to May 9.

Abuelo’s

Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant is providing a 20% discount on the entire check for educators and school staff on May 6. To receive the discount, teachers must present a valid school ID at the time of payment.

Applebee’s

Applebee’s is offering a free appetizer to teachers and nurses from April 28 to May 10. The offer is valid for any appetizer up to $12 in value, provided with the purchase of an adult entrée. Teachers must mention the offer and show a valid school or work badge when ordering.

Burger King

Burger King is giving away a free Whopper Jr. with a purchase of $1 or more during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Chipotle

Chipotle is hosting a giveaway of 100,000 burritos in the form of Burrito E-Cards for teachers and school staff. The giveaway runs from April 30 to May 12.

McDonald’s

Many McDonald’s locations are offering free breakfast combo meals or free coffee and cookies to teachers with a valid school ID. Some locations provide these deals throughout the week, while others offer them on Teacher Appreciation Day, usually on May 5.

Peter Piper Pizza

From May 5 to May 9, Peter Piper Pizza is offering a free 7-inch, one-topping personal pizza between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Arizona and Albuquerque locations. Teachers must present a valid school ID to redeem this offer.

Shipley Do-Nuts

Shipley Do-Nuts is giving away a free half-dozen donuts to teachers and nurses from May 4 through May 6, with no purchase necessary.

Smoothie King

Starting on May 6, Smoothie King is offering a 20% discount on orders for teachers and nurses who present a valid working ID in-store.

Tacodeli

On May 6, Tacodeli is offering a free taco to educators who present a valid school ID or badge. The offer is available in-restaurant only and is limited to one free taco per educator while supplies last.

Whataburger

Whataburger is offering a free breakfast entrée to teachers between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Teachers must present a valid school ID when ordering for dine-in, drive-thru, or takeout. This offer is not available online through the Whataburger website or app.

Atomic Wings

Atomic Wings is providing a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6 for teachers, available for dine-in only.

Bad Daddy’s

Bad Daddy’s is offering $5 Bad Ass Margaritas on May 5, and half-price appetizers during the two hours before closing time during Teacher Appreciation Week.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is offering a program called the Awesome Achievement Program, where teachers can sign up online to receive up to 90 certificates per school year. Students can present these certificates to receive a free Snickers Pizookie.

Retail and Store Offers

In addition to food and beverage deals, several retailers are offering discounts and free items to educators during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Staples

During Teacher Appreciation Week, teachers can receive a 20% discount on in-store purchases with a valid teacher ID. Additionally, teachers can get a free 12-pack of Tru Red Stick Pens while supplies last. The coupons for this offer can be found in the Staples app.

Creative and Low-Cost Appreciation Ideas

For those who want to celebrate their teachers without relying on commercial offers, there are several creative and low-cost appreciation ideas that have been highlighted.

Outdoor Teacher Patio

Schools can set up an outdoor patio for teachers to enjoy during breaks or recess. This can be done by asking volunteers to bring in patio furniture and plants from their own homes.

Appreciation Station

An appreciation station can be set up at school where students and parents can write notes or cards for teachers. This encourages a sense of community and allows teachers to receive heartfelt messages from those they teach and interact with daily.

Joke Sharing

Each student can be asked to bring in a joke for their teacher, and then share it during a designated time. This simple gesture can bring a smile to a teacher’s face and create a fun, lighthearted atmosphere.

Chalk the Walk

Families can be invited to come to the school after hours to draw and write words of thanks on sidewalks using sidewalk chalk. This adds a colorful and creative element to showing appreciation.

Eligibility and Redemption Details

Most of the offers listed require a valid teacher or school ID for redemption. Teachers should ensure they have this documentation available when visiting participating businesses. Some offers are limited to specific dates or locations, so it is important to check the details before attempting to redeem them.

A few offers also mention the need for in-person visits or dine-in orders, with online or app-based ordering not being eligible for the discount or free item. Teachers should verify the terms of each offer to avoid disappointment.

Conclusion

Teacher Appreciation Week in 2025 provides a variety of opportunities for educators and school staff to receive free items, discounts, and special perks from restaurants and retailers. These offers are a great way to show appreciation without spending money, and they highlight the importance of recognizing the hard work and dedication of teachers.

By signing up for rewards programs, visiting participating locations with a valid school ID, and engaging in community-driven appreciation activities, teachers can enjoy a range of benefits during this week. These efforts not only support educators financially but also help to foster a culture of gratitude and recognition.

Sources

1. PTO Today - Teacher Appreciation Ideas
2. Swag Grabber - Teacher Appreciation Freebies
3. Hip2Save - Teacher Appreciation Deals
4. USA Today - Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 Deals
5. Passionate Penny Pincher - Teacher Appreciation Freebies