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Where teachers can get free food and discounts for Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10

Kelly Tyko, USA TODAYPublished 7:15 p.m. ET May 3, 2019 | Updated 8:54 a.m. ET May 6, 2019

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This is why teachers deserve appreciation every day. USA TODAY

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Businesses want to show teachers a little love.

For Teacher Appreciation Week, which kicks off Monday, some restaurants are offering free meals, buy-one-get-one free deals and discounts. 

The biggest freebie day for educators is Tuesday, Teacher Appreciation Day, also called National Teachers Day. 

And teachers won’t be the only ones being recognized. National Nurses Week also starts Monday and goes through May 12.

Dates of the offers and participation can vary by location. To be on the safe side, always check with your closest location before heading out. Also, some will require you to have a restaurant's app or be signed up for emails.

These offers also require teachers to show a school ID.

May deals: Where to get free food and other discounts this month

National Nurses Week 2019: Where nurses get free food and discounts

Chipotle restaurants are expected to be very busy Tuesday for the chain's Teacher Appreciation Day buy-one-get-one free offer. (Photo: Gene J. Puskar, Gene J. Puskar, AP)

The deals

Some offers vary by location. Remember, to call ahead to confirm.

Arby's: Some locations are giving teachers and school administrators with ID a free sandwich Tuesday.

Bruegger’s Bagels: The bagel restaurant is giving all teachers a free medium drip or iced coffee with any purchase and valid ID Monday through Friday.

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen: From Monday through Friday, teachers dining in can get a free appetizer with the purchase of an adult entree. No coupon is needed.

Chick-fil-A: There’s not a nationwide promotion but select locations are offering teachers a deal Tuesday and some locations are celebrating for a week. Either call your closest location or search individual restaurant's Facebook page.

Chipotle: Teachers, faculty and other school staff with a valid school ID can take advantage of a buy-one-get-one free offer from 3 p.m. to close Tuesday. The deal is on burritos, bowls, salads and orders of tacos and for in-restaurant orders only and available for educators at all levels. Learn more at www.chipotle.com/teachers.

Cicis: Teachers and school staff get a free adult buffet Tuesday for National Teacher Appreciation Day with a valid school ID and a coupon.

Cotton Patch Café: Teachers who show their teacher ID “or spirit” get 20% off Monday through Friday.

Duffy's Sports Grill: Teachers get a $10 MVP Bonus loaded directly onto their MVP accounts during Teachers Appreciation Week Monday through Friday when they show their faculty ID badge. Sign up for the MVP program at www.duffysmvp.com/mvp.

Giordano’s: From Monday through Thursday, Giordano’s is offering 20% off any order with the code 656-263-214. The offer is dine-in and online and for both nurses and teachers.

The Greene Turtle: Teachers get a free $14 meal Tuesday with a valid school ID. Dine-in only.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria: Teachers get a 15% discount Monday through Friday with their ID on dine-in and takeout orders. Not valid in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Also, through May 10, nominate a teacher to win a pizza party at www.grimaldispizzeria.com/teachers. Winning teachers will be announced May 31.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Teachers get a free small shake Tuesday when they show their school ID.

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice: Teachers and educational staff get a free small menu item Tuesday with a valid school ID.

Luna Grill: All teachers get 20% off any order with school ID Monday through Saturday.

McAlister’s Deli: Teachers get a free McAlister’s Deli Sweet Tea during Teacher Appreciation Week, Monday through Friday with a valid school ID.

McDonald’s: Not a nationwide deal, but RetailMeNot reports some McDonald’s are offering a free chicken McNuggets meal to teachers with a valid ID.

Metro Diner: From Monday through Friday, teachers and school faculty members get 20% off their check.

MOD Pizza: On Tuesday, teachers get a buy-one-get-one free deal on MOD-size pizza or salads with their school IDs on in-store orders.

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes: Teachers text TEACH to 97455 and get a coupon for a free burger with purchase of fries and a drink or shake to redeem on Wednesday. School ID must be presented at ordering for this dine-in offer.

Nando’s PERi-PERi: Teachers get a free flame-grilled chicken meal Tuesday at all 42 U.S. restaurants.

PDQ: Teachers get 50% off your entire order with a valid ID Tuesday.

Pei Wei: From Monday through Friday, teachers get 33% off regular entrees when they present their teacher ID. This offer is only for in-restaurant purchases.

Pluckers Wing Bar: Teachers get a free appetizer and half-price glasses of wine Friday.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: All teachers get a buy-one-get-one offer Monday through Sunday, May 12.

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers: From 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, teachers and faculty get one free Box Combo when they present current school IDs.

Roy Rogers Restaurants: Teachers with a valid teacher ID get a free milkshake or dessert with any purchase Monday through Friday.

Salata Salad Kitchen: Teachers get a buy-one-get-one free offer Friday, May 10, on salads and wraps when they show their valid school ID. Teacher must be present and the free salad or wrap must be of equal or lesser value.

Scooter’s Coffee: Teachers get half off any drink Monday when they show proof.

Slim Chickens: With valid school IDs Tuesday, students and teachers get a 20% discount and a free cookie with dine-in and drive-thru orders.

Sonic Drive-In: This Teacher Appreciation Month deal is for teachers and “those who appreciate them as much as Sonic does,” the fast-food chain says. From Tuesday through May 31, get a free Route 44 drink or slush with purchase when ordering on the restaurant’s app with promo code TEACHERS. Download the app at www.sonicdrivein.com/app.

More deals: Some smaller chains and locally-owned businesses also will have deals for teachers. One of the easiest ways to find specials is by checking social media accounts.

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Subscriber, Educators don’t enter the profession expecting to get rich. They do it because they love teaching and because they have an unwavering belief in their students. But, they should also be able to support themselves. The sad truth is that many educators aren’t earning enough to make ends meet. Today, we’re releasing our annual data on educator pay. Click here to find out how your state ranks in educator pay and per pupil spending.   Educator Pay in Your State > Each year, NEA publishes data on educator salaries. We collect statistics from state departments of education and 11,675 school districts, which account for 94 percent of all full-time educators. The data show in black and white (or, in this case, red and white) the dollar value each state places on its educators. To make matters worse, the pay gap between educators and other professionals is vast and growing, forcing many out of the profession and creating a teacher shortage crisis that threatens our students and communities. See how much educators make on average in your state and join the movement fighting for better resources for public school educators and students. How much we pay educators is just one indicator of the value our society places on education. As part of the Red For Ed movement, educators across the country are joining hands with parents and community members to fight for the resources public school students need to succeed—like a nurse, counselor, and librarian in every school; a living wage for education support professionals; and more class time for learning. Equipped with data like average educator pay and the teacher pay gap, we are able to better make the case that we can do better. Afterall, our children are worth it. Sincerely, Lily Eskelsen García President National Education Association          News Release Contact:     Marilyn Schneider, State Board of Education Executive Phone:       517-241-7161 State Board Selects Three Finalists for Next State Superintendent April 24, 2019 LANSING – The State Board of Education today selected three candidates to continue the process to become Michigan’s next State Superintendent. Following two days of public interviews and deliberation by the State Board of Education, Brenda Cassellius, Michael Rice, and Jeanice Swift are being invited back for final interviews beginning at 9:30 a.m. on May 7. The finalists were among a group of five candidates who were initially selected for interviews from the 51 people who applied. The State Board also noted that if any of the three finalists chooses to withdraw their name before May 7, candidate Randy Liepa would be invited back for a final interview. “This was a very difficult decision, as all five candidates were impressive in their interviews and brought unique perspectives for our considerations,” said State Board of Education President Casandra E. Ulbrich. “I think the State Board is confident that any of the finalists would be exceptional State Superintendents. Now, it is up to the final interviews on May 7 to see which of them is the best fit to move us forward as a state.” Rice currently is Superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools; Cassellius is the immediate past Minnesota Commissioner of Education; and Swift is the Superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools. Liepa currently is the Superintendent of Wayne RESA. The State Board of Education is granted the responsibility to appoint a State Superintendent by the Michigan Constitution. The State Superintendent is the principal executive officer of the Michigan Department of Education and is chairperson of the State Board without the right to vote and shall be responsible for implementing its policies, and has all the powers and duties provided by law. The State Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision, and leadership of the Michigan Department of Education. The Superintendent is responsible for developing cooperative working relationships with other government departments; the Governor’s office; the state legislature; and constituent groups, in service of SBE policy and the Michigan’s Top 10 in 10 strategic plan for improving education. This top education position became open last spring upon the death of State Superintendent Brian Whiston. Chief Deputy Superintendent Sheila Alles was appointed Interim State Superintendent by the State Board at that time. # # # State Board selects finalists for State Superintendent.pdf  Questions?  Contact Us STAY CONNECTED:         NEA members will be hugely important in deciding the next president. Do you know how I know? In the last presidential election, one in every 39 votes cast was made by an NEA member or family member. And since that election, we have come together like never before to fight for our students, higher wages, more resources, and better funding. The 2020 election may seem far away, but right now the presidential candidates are defining their priorities and we have a unique opportunity to make public education a top-tier issue. Today, I’m so proud to launch NEA’s new election site, StrongPublicSchools.org. It’s designed keep you informed and empowered to support candidates that share your values. Check it out. »   StrongPublicSchools.org » With constant attacks on public education from an unqualified education secretary, billionaires, and special interests, we must continue to come together and make our voices heard. We must make sure that all students, regardless of where they live, have the support, tools, and time to learn. After all, a quality public education is the foundation of a thriving, equitable society. I hope you’ll take the time to visit StrongPublicSchools.org and find out how you can get involved. Go! Fight! Win! Lily Eskelsen García President National Education Association   Casting a ballot ensures your voice as an educator gets heard. And NEA's Strong Public Schools poster contest provides a way for you to be seen, too. The power of NEA comes from our members, and we try to lift up your voices and your creativity every chance we get. So for the 2020 presidential election, we're looking to you, NEA members—give us your best design ideas and yours may get chosen to be the face of our campaign this fall. Every campaign season, NEA prints lots of materials to promote public education. Things like posters to wave at rallies and hang in classrooms, t-shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, etc. This is where you come in: Enter the NEA Strong Public Schools 2020 poster contest. Click here for more information and to submit your design today. »   Click Here to Get Started » Here’s how it works: You create and submit your poster design by May 31. Then we’ll select six finalists and your friends, family, and fellow NEA members will get to vote for their favorite design. The winning design will be printed on official NEA Strong Public Schools posters, t-shirts, and other campaign materials for the 2020 election season. PLUS, the winning designer will get... 🥇 First place: $2,500 cash prize and donation of $500 in art supplies to the winner’s school 🥈 Second place: $1,000 cash prize 🥉 Third place: $500 cash prize Click here for contest rules and how to enter NEA’s Strong Public Schools 2020 poster contest. » We can’t wait to see what you create! In solidarity, Carrie Pugh Political Director National Education Association Can't see the images? View as webpage   Standing together we can make a difference for our students and for all Michigan educators. Last fall, our hard work helped to elect a governor who has fulfilled her pledge to push for a real funding increase for public education. Governor Gretchen Whitmer can’t get that budget passed alone – as she said at our Winter Conference, we all have to put our backs into this effort. $507 million. The largest K-12 funding increase in a generation. As part of that historic ask, the governor’s budget would increase funding and access to higher education and community colleges; triple the number of literacy coaches; provide more funding for students who need it most, including special education, low-income and at-risk children; and expand career, skills, and technical education in Michigan high schools and beyond. Whitmer’s budget stops raiding the School Aid Fund to fill potholes and makes educating Michigan’s students a top priority. But without our help, it’s nothing more than a request. The Legislature has to pass the budget – and with two months to go before their summer recess, it’s time to act. Will you help us? First, we need to rekindle the #RedForEd movement that helped us win last fall. We are asking you to work together locally to hold #RedForEd Reality Checks to engage parents, civic and community leaders, administrators, school boards, and ultimately lawmakers in a conversation about why our students need this funding increase. These Reality Checks can take many forms, but the key is doing what you do best: educating people. Only by mobilizing a grassroots army for public education will we show the Legislature that we’re willing to fight for what our students deserve. Then, in June, as the final budget negotiations heat up with the summer weather, we will be on the Capitol Lawn to make our collective voices heard. Please plan now to join us on Tuesday, June 18, for a #RedforEd Rally for Public Education at the Capitol in Lansing – and, for those who are still in school, we’ll be there again the following Tuesday, June 25, to make sure lawmakers are listening. For now, save the date – more details are forthcoming. Together, we will help Gov. Whitmer pass this budget by telling lawmakers the time is now to Value Students, Respect Educators and Fund Our Schools. Let us know you’re with us! In solidarity, Paula Herbart MEA President   To view this email as a web page, go here. Subscriber, NEA members will be hugely important in deciding the next president. Do you know how I know? In the last presidential election, one in every 39 votes cast was made by an NEA member or family member. And since that election, we have come together like never before to fight for our students, higher wages, more resources, and better funding. The 2020 election may seem far away, but right now the presidential candidates are defining their priorities and we have a unique opportunity to make public education a top-tier issue. Today, I’m so proud to launch NEA’s new election site, StrongPublicSchools.org. It’s designed keep you informed and empowered to support candidates that share your values. Check it out. »   StrongPublicSchools.org » With constant attacks on public education from an unqualified education secretary, billionaires, and special interests, we must continue to come together and make our voices heard. We must make sure that all students, regardless of where they live, have the support, tools, and time to learn. After all, a quality public education is the foundation of a thriving, equitable society. I hope you’ll take the time to visit StrongPublicSchools.org and find out how you can get involved. Go! Fight! Win! Lily Eskelsen García President National Education Association