As summer and the end of the school year approaches, it's time to give it up for our teachers during National Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs Monday, May 5, to Friday, May 9, and includes National Teachers Day on May 6.
Parents with K-12 students have consistently appreciated teachers, with 73% of respondents rating their children's teachers as excellent or good, according to polling by Gallup. That rating, from 2023, was slightly higher than the 71% mark in 2018.
Meanwhile, many teachers (77%) who participated in an April 2024 Pew Survey considered their job as "frequently stressful," or "overwhelming" (68%).
A survey conducted March 26-April 1 by Horace Mann Educators Corporation, which provides financial services and insurance to educators, found more than 30% said they don’t feel appreciated, yet the majority said they remain committed to their students and their calling. The financial services company is expanding National Teacher Appreciation Week into a month of virtual events teachers can attend, and there's weekly prizes as well, plus two winners will each get a $2,500 Liberty Travel gift card.
What is National Teachers Appreciation Week?
National Teachers Appreciation Week arose from the National Parent Teacher Association in 1984 designating a week in May to honor teachers; the National Education Association had already supported a National Teachers Day.
Then-first lady Eleanor Roosevelt helped start it all in 1953 by lobbying Congress to create a day to honor teachers, notes the We Are Teachers website. “It is quite impossible to give teachers monetary compensation alone that will repay for their devotion to the job and the love that must go to each and every child," Roosevelt wrote at the time. "But I think we could compensate a little more adequately the teachers in our communities if we were conscious of their importance.”
Want some activities to recognize your favorite teachers? The websites of the National PTA and NEA, and the We Are Teachers site, all have ideas and projects.
Many restaurants businesses have deals and specials for teachers, too – there's several specials on gift cards, should you want to give a teacher something to fortify themselves away from work. Here's a roundup.
Chipotle Teacher Appreciation Week giveaway
Through May 13, teachers – and healthcare workers (it's also National Nurse Appreciation Week) – can sign up online to be among the 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare workers to be randomly selected to win a free burrito. Those selected will get an email to verify their employment status via ID.me; as long as they verify within 48 hours the get a free burrito e-card.
Chipotle, which says it has given $16 million in free Chipotle to educators and medical professionals since 2016, will also be using its Round-Up for Real Change feature on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com to support the Kids In Need Foundation and American Nurses Foundation.
Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton
Teachers can get deals this summer at six Florida properties – Miami (use booking code PK5), Miami Beach (code P1), Deerfield Beach (code PL5), Fort Lauderdale (code PL5), Tampa (code TEAP) and Tampa (convention center; code TEP).
Smoothie King
Teachers get 20% off their in-store order May 6-8 when they show their valid working ID.
For Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), the fast-food chain has three exclusive deals for members of the Sonic Teachers’ Circle rewards program – a free Sonic Snack or side with purchase, buy one Sonic Blast, get one free, and a $1.99 Quarter Pound Double Cheeseburger. To join the free rewards program, download the Sonic app (then create an account, go into Settings, tap Profile icon, tap Account and select "I'm a Teacher").
During Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-10), teachers can get 20% off their in-store purchase with a valid teacher ID. They can also get a free 12-pack of Tru Red Stick Pens (one per customer while supplies last; find the coupons in the Staples app).
More National Teachers Day and Teachers Appreciation Week deals
- Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant: Teachers and school staff get a 20% discount off their entire check at all locations on May 6.
- Atomic Wings: Teachers can enjoy a free 5-piece order of boneless wings with fries on May 6 (available for dine-in only).
- Bad Daddy’s: The burger bar chain has its Bad Ass Margaritas priced at $5 on Monday, May 5, and $8 for the rest of the month. Also this week, get half-price appetizers during the two hours before closing time.
- BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Teachers can sign up online to participate in the Awesome Achievement Program and get up to 90 certificates per school year to honor “Awesome Achiever” students. Students can show the certificate to get a free Snickers Pizookie. And when they dine in to redeem their award, they’ll be congratulated by the restaurant manager and given an Awesome Achiever silicone bracelet.
- Box Tops for Education: During May, which is also Teacher Appreciation Month, get a $5 bonus for your school when you download the Box Tops app and scan your first receipt. (Use code TEACHER to get the bonus.)
- Doodleface: For Teachers Appreciation Week (May 5–9) get 20% off the sustainable, smudge-free crayon boards online and Amazon (use the code 20LOVETEACH).
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