✏️Calling all teachers! Time for a brief history lesson! Did you know the United States began discussing a national day to recognize educators in 1944? The origin of National Teacher Appreciation Day is unconfirmed, but it is believed that an educator in Arkansas along with an educator from Wisconsin wrote Eleanor Roosevelt, convincing her to achieve their feat. By 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt had persuaded the 81st Congress to declare a National Teacher Appreciation Day as teachers dedicate their time to enriching many different aspects of their students’ lives.
However, it would take another 27 years for Teacher Appreciation to become an official national day. It was not until March 1980 when the state of Indiana and the state of Kansas’ Board of Education began lobbying Congress to have the national day recognized. Four years later, March 1984, the first National Teacher Day was celebrated.
I know what you are thinking, “isn’t National Teacher Day in May?” Sure enough, you would be correct. Soon after its first celebration in 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) decided maybe one day was not enough. The NPTA went on to crown the first Tuesday in May as the official National Teacher’s Day while extending the celebration of recognition to the entire first week of May!
As we approach the national day tomorrow, I wanted to spend time reflecting on the most influential teachers from my childhood, up until my college graduation. A few years ago, I came across a quote along the lines of, “behind every child who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first” and my memory was immediately drawn to my past teachers who taught with kindness and empathy to advance my education. It must never be forgotten that the educators in this country are working tirelessly to see our children progress academically while shaping the kind of citizen they will grow up to be. If Dr. Mele ever comes across this post, I want her to know that her dedication and immense support of my writing abilities throughout my time at Roger Williams University is one of the reasons I felt confident enough to revamp this blog. Oh, if you are reading this and your name is Miss Taylor, I can not thank you enough for taking the time to help me draft, edit and film for Cthegood. “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning” and Dr. Mele and Miss Taylor certainly achieved this during some of the most vulnerable parts of my education leading to my career.
I Found the Best Teacher Deals, So You Don’t Have To
This year, as a special thank you to all teachers, I will be sharing a list of locations teachers can visit for National Teacher Appreciation Day/Week to receive a free gift or accommodation for their year round efforts:
- Academy Sports – Teachers and school staff can enjoy 10% off both in stores and online through May 14, 2023.
- Apple – Teachers can get discounts of up to $200 on computers and accessories through the Apple Education Store. Runs throughout the year.
- Applebees – Teachers receive 10% off with a valid school ID or a free main course on Teacher Appreciation Day at select participating locations. Ask about your location HERE.
- Books-A-Million – Sign up for a free Educator Card that provides a 20% discount on all items purchased in store and free shipping on all eligible purchases from booksamillion.com. They also have an annual Educator Week with more discounts.
- Buffalo Wild Wings – Buffalo Wild Wings is thanking teachers and school staff by offering 20% off orders at participating sports bars during national Teacher Appreciation Week. The deal is available for dine-in or takeout with a valid school. ID, limited to one offer redemption per order, per visit. Ask about your location HERE.
- Champion – All members of the education community can receive 10% off at Champion online.
- Crayola – Crayola.com offers all visitors to the site 20% off on all products from their Teacher Gift Ideas category page with code EDUCATORS.
- Creative Fabrica – For just $2.99 a year the teacher club card allows you to download up to five teacher resources like worksheets and other materials each week. Runs throughout the year.
- Headspace – Teachers receive a FREE year of access to the Headspace mindfulness and meditation app. Runs throughout the year.
- Hobby Lobby – Members of the Hobby Lobby teacher discount program save 10% on their purchases year round.
- JoAnn Fabrics – The teacher discount allows you to save 15% on every purchase, every day.
- Kendra Scott – The jewelry brand is offering 15% off all items for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, in-store only.
- McAlister’s Deli – Teachers who stop by McAlister’s Deli May 3-May 10, 2023 and show their valid ID will receive a free 32 oz. tea (Limit one per person and excluding in app or online orders).
- Michaels – Get 15% off your entire purchase, including sale items, when you use your Michaels Rewards account to check out. Offer is available in-store and online and must show a valid educator ID or complete the educator verification process through the rewards program. Runs throughout the year.
- Potbelly – Educators who show their work ID at their local Potbelly restaurant between May 8 – May 12, 2023 will get a free regular-sized soft drink or cookie with an entree purchase. In-restaurants orders only.
- Samsung – Through Samsung’s Education Offers Program, teachers and educators can save up to 30% off on laptops, tablets, smartphones and more when shopping on Samsung.com. Runs throughout the year.
- TGI Fridays – On 5/2/23, teachers can receive a free meal from 5pm until close at participating TGI Fridays restaurants. Simply present a valid school ID to receive your choice between four meals: either a cheeseburger with seasoned fries; crispy chicken fingers with seasoned fries and coleslaw; a 6 oz. center-cut sirloin with mashed potatoes and garlic-butter broccoli or a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. Check your location HERE.
- Vineyard Vines – Teachers enjoy 15% off their online purchases all year long with a valid school ID.
*Be sure to check back next year for an updated 2024 Teacher Appreciation Deals List.
Cthegood 