Teacher Appreciation Day 2025: The best deals, free food, and discounts for educators in the U.S.
National Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 honors educators with special offers, gifts, and events. Running from May 5-9, this celebration includes National Teachers Day on May 6, featuring exclusive discounts and perks for teachers across the U.S.
National Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 it happen on May 5–May 9, 2025, with National Teachers Day occurring on May 6. This celebration is a great time to show teachers appreciation for all the hard work, effort, and passion they put into their classrooms!
National Teacher Appreciation Week is also a great time to get involved and give back to the teachers who are helping encourage growth and development in their students. While surveys show parents have the greatest appreciation for their child/teen’s teacher, educators often share feelings of stress, and lack of appreciation.
What is Teacher appreciation week?
In 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association declared National Teacher Appreciation Week to honor teachers, after the National Education Association's long-standing endorsement with National Teachers Day.
Eleanor Roosevelt lobbied Congress for a day for teachers in 1953, stating that while society could never fully repay teachers for the love and devotion they bring to their students, we could surely do more to celebrate teachers and their contributions to the education of our children.
Looking for ideas to honor your favorite teachers? Go to the National PTA, NEA, and We Are Teachers websites for ideas and projects.
Restaurant chains and businesses also offer deals for teachers, including promotional gift cards, so teachers can de-stress away from the classroom. Here's a collection of the best deals.
Does teachers feel appreciated in the U.S.?
According to a Gallup poll, parents of K-12 students have consistently expressed their gratitude, with 73% of those surveyed rating their children's teachers as excellent or good. This rating was slightly higher than the 71% recorded in 2018.
However, many teachers (77%) in a Pew Survey in April 2024 said they frequently found their job stressful and 68% described their job as overwhelming.
In a survey conducted by Horace Mann Educators Corporation from March 26 to April 1 that showed over 30% of teachers claimed they didn't feel appreciated, teachers mostly still commitment to their students. Horace Mann is stretched National Teacher Appreciation Week into a month with virtual offers for teachers with prizes offered weekly and a chance to win a $2,500 Liberty Travel gift card.
Here are the best deals for Teachers Appreciation Day
- Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant: On May 6, teachers and school staff will receive a 20% discount on their entire bill at all locations.
- Atomic Wings: Teachers can enjoy a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6 (valid for dine-in only).
- Bad Daddy’s: The burger bar chain will offer its Bad Ass Margaritas for $5 on May 5 and $8 for the rest of the month. Plus, enjoy half-price appetizers during the two hours before closing time.
- BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Teachers can sign up for the Awesome Achievement Program online and receive up to 90 certificates per school year to honor "Awesome Achiever" students. Students can show their certificate to get a free Snickers Pizookie. When redeeming their award, they will be congratulated by the restaurant manager and given an Awesome Achiever silicone bracelet.
- Box Tops for Education: Throughout May (Teacher Appreciation Month), earn a $5 bonus for your school by downloading the Box Tops app and scanning your first receipt with the code TEACHER.
- Doodleface: During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), enjoy 20% off sustainable, smudge-free crayon boards online and on Amazon (use the code 20LOVETEACH).
- Eddie Merlot’s: Teachers can get a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée all week (valid with a teacher ID, not combinable with other offers).
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Enjoy 20% off all gift card purchases made online through June 24.
- The Greene Turtle: On May 6, teachers will receive a free meal (up to $15 in value) when they show a valid teacher ID.
- Grimaldi's: Get 15% off orders from May 5-9 at participating locations (show a valid school ID for the discount).
- Happy Joe’s: Teachers can enjoy a 20% discount on their order at participating locations throughout the week (with a valid school ID).
- Hat Creek Burger Company: All school staff will receive a free Little Hat Burger on May 6 (no purchase necessary; available for dine-in or takeout).
- la Madeleine: Get a free bakery item when you buy one on May 6 (available through the Bonjour Rewards app; no ID required).
