All of us have one or more teachers who assisted, inspired or coached us along on our learning path. Need an excuse to show your gratitude? There are opportunities in the days ahead.

National Teacher Day is May 7, 2024, and Teacher Appreciation Week runs Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10. The idea for a week to honor teachers began more than 70 years ago with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

The National National Parent Teacher Association has deemed this year's theme "Teachers are Shining Stars," and has an online toolkit with ideas on how to thank teachers. The National Education Association website has suggestions on how to celebrate teachers, too.

"Teachers are the heart and soul of our Nation," President Biden said in a proclamation on Friday, May 3. "They care for our Nation’s students, pass on knowledge to rising generations, and inspire our children to dream up new possibilities for their futures."

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Many restaurants and retailers are showing their appreciation with deals, discounts, specials and freebies. Here's some, but you may want to check social media for local deals, too – try searching for #NationalTeacherAppreciationWeek or #TeacherAppreciationWeek.

National Teacher Appreciation Week deals

• Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza: Teachers get a 20% discount on all orders with a valid ID from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12.
• BIC: The pen maker has deals on its BIC 4 Color Ballpoint Pen, with packs of three starting at $6.09 (available on Amazon, Walmart, Target); BIC Gelocity Quick Dry Gel Pens, 12-pack starting at $12.99 (Amazon, Walmart, Target), and Break Resistant Mechanical Pencil, pack of two starting at $4.98 (Walmart and Staples (2-Count); Amazon (4-Count), and BIC.com (12-Count).
• Buffalo Wild Wings: From Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, teachers and school staff get 20% off their orders with valid IDs on dine-in, call-in, and walk-in orders.
• BurgerFi: Teachers get a 20% discount on all orders with a valid ID from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12.
• Firehouse Subs: The sandwich chain has a week of specials available starting Monday through its Firehouse Rewards loyalty program and app including (on Wednesday) BOGO Hook & Ladder Subs and (on Friday) two medium sandwiches for $12 or two large sandwiches for $18.
• Golden Corral: Teachers get 20% off one adult buffet purchases from Monday to Friday, May 6-10. (Identification or proof of employment must be shown to receive the discount. Available at participating locations.)
• The Good Feet Store: The retail chain, which has more than 250 locations, wants you to nominate education professionals – teachers, educators and other personnel including crossing guards – to win a personalized arch support system from The Good Feet Store. Submit applications online starting May 6 and through May 31. There may be one winner for each participating market (there's more than 75), and once selected, each winner will receive their own personalized arch support system.
• The Greene Turtle: All faculty and staff with a valid ID get a free meal (value of up to $15) on Tuesday, May 7, for Teachers Appreciation Day.
• Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream: Teachers get a 10% discount at participating locations from Monday to Friday, May 6-10.
• Hat Creek Burger Company: All teachers and school staff get a free 6-piece order of nuggets on Tuesday, May 7 (just show a valid ID).
• HTeaO: The iced tea chain will give teachers 50% off cups of tea from Monday, May 13, to Sunday, May 26, with a valid professional school ID.
• Huddle House: Teachers get a free meal from Monday to Friday, May 6-10. Students can also nominate a teacher to win free meals for a year (award given at each participating location). Also, get a free kids meal with any purchase of $6 or more.
• Insomnia Cookies: The Philadelphia-based late-night bakery chain with more than 240 locations is giving all teachers and school staff who show a valid ID a free Classic cookie in-store, no purchase necessary, all week beginning Monday, May 6. (Availability varies by location.)
• Jeremiah's Italian Ice: Teachers get a free small treat of their choosing on Tuesday, May 7, for Teacher's Appreciation Day with a valid educational ID at purchase.
• McAlister’s Deli: Teachers and educators can get free tea – either one big Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, ½ Sweet & ½ Unsweet Tea, or ½ Lemonade & ½ Sweet/Unsweet Tea (flavor shots excluded) – at McAlister's Deli from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, with your badge or ID. Offer valid in-store only; no purchase necessary.

• Moe’s Southwest Grill: Cater a Moe's Southwest Grill meal for teachers from Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12, and when you spend $300 or more, get a $50 E-gift card (use code THANKYOU24). Good at participating locations; not valid with other offers or third-party delivery. Doesn't include tax, tip and fees.
• Noodles&Company: Parents, school administrators, and educators alike can get $15 off catering orders of $100 or more through May 17. Log into your Noodles Rewards account and use the code THANKSTEACHERS at checkout.
• The Parking Spot: The parking company is giving teachers 25% off parking during their trips; just signup with an associated education email account.
• Peter Piper Pizza: Teachers can get a free personal pizza every day Monday through Friday (May 6-10). Redemption is limited to once per day; valid teacher or nurse ID/credentials must be shown.
• Postino: The restaurant chain, with more than 25 locations in five states, will give teachers its $25 Board and Bottle (bruschetta board, plus a bottle of wine) all day every day during the month of May with badge/ID. (The special is usually only available Monday and Tuesday 8 p.m. to closing.)
• Potbelly Sandwich Works: Teachers get a free cookie or fountain drink with the purchase of an entrée by showing their ID Monday, May 6, to Sunday, May 12. Also, all customers can get free delivery on a catering order over $150.
• Raising Cane's: The fast casual chain is giving 10 teachers an all-expenses-paid summer vacation. Teachers can enter the contest on RaisingCanesTASweepstakes.com Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10. Winners get two round-trip tickets to any U.S. destination, two-night hotel stay and a $200 gift card.
• Salata Salad Kitchen: On Tuesday, May 7, educators get 20% off their order when they present their badge at checkout. Also from Monday to Friday (May 6-10) get 20% off catering orders of $200 or more, and get free delivery on orders through DoorDash.
• Scholastic: The publisher has special deals and giveaways in its Scholastic Teacher Store and Book Clubs beginning Monday, May 6. And when you send a Scholastic eGift card through May 10, you'll be entered for a chance to win $550 of new books and resources for an educator of your choice.
• Shipley Do-Nuts: Teachers who belong to the chain's Do-Happy loyalty program can get a free half-dozen box of glazed Do-nuts with any purchase on Monday, May 6.
• SonicDrive-In: Educators enrolled in the Sonic Teachers’ Circle Rewards program can take advantage of several deals starting Monday, May 6, to May 20; they include BOGO free Sonic Blast, BOGO free entrée, free Sonic cheeseburger with any purchase, free Large Drink or Slush with any purchase, or free small side with any entrée. (To join the rewards program create an account in the Sonic app and select "I'm a teacher" in settings.) Also, from May 6-20, Sonic is donating a portion of every drink, slush, and shake sold to its Limeades for Learning program, which supports local public schools.
• Staples: From Sunday, May 5, to Saturday, May 11, teachers can get free supply kits at Staples stores; kits include markers, pens, pencils, and glue. (20 kits per store while supplies last; limit 1 per teacher with teacher ID.) Teachers also get 20% off in-store purchases with their teacher ID at checkout.
• Stitch Fix: The online personal styling service is giving educators $50 credit to refresh their wardrobe. Between now and May 12, go to stitchfix.com/teachers to verify credentials and get a promo code to use before June 30.
• TGI Fridays: Teachers get a free entrée on Tuesday, May 7, at participating locations; choices include a cheeseburger with fries, half rack of ribs with choice of side, and Caesar salad with grilled chicken.
• The Halal Guys: Teachers get 10% off their meal from Wednesday, May 8, to Friday, May 10, on in-store orders, with proof of a valid teacher ID.

• Whataburger: School employees can get a free Taquito, Breakfast on a Bun, or Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10 with ID.
• Yogurtland: Through May 14, the frozen yogurt chain is offering free delivery on orders of more than $15 made through the website or mobile app (use code FREEDELIVERY).
• Zaxby's: Teachers can buy one Boneless Wings Meal and get a second one free on May 7 at participating locations (redeemable through the Zaxby's app or website for Zax Rewardz members, while supplies last).

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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