Teachers play a vital role in society by educating and shaping the minds of young people. However, their salaries are often not very high, especially compared to other professions that require similar levels of education. This can make it difficult for teachers to make ends meet. Thankfully, many businesses and organizations recognize the importance of teachers and offer special discounts to help them save money.
Discounts for Teachers
There are a variety of discounts available specifically for teachers. These discounts can help teachers save on everyday expenses like groceries, clothing, school supplies, restaurants, travel, and more. Some of the most common discounts for teachers include:
- School supply stores: Many school supply stores like Staples and Office Depot offer educator discounts of 10-20% off purchases all year long.
- Clothing stores: Stores like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and LOFT provide teacher discounts of 15% off or more.
- Restaurants: Restaurants like Applebee’s offer special teacher discounts and freebies like free appetizers or desserts.
- Hotels: Many hotel chains offer discounted room rates for teachers when they present valid teacher ID at check-in.
- Rental cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Hertz are some rental car companies that provide teacher discounts.
- Museums and zoos: Teachers can get free or reduced admission to museums, zoos, aquariums, and other attractions upon showing teacher ID.
- Cell phone plans: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint offer special discounts on cell phone plans for teachers.
- Amusement parks: Parks like Six Flags and Sea World have teacher appreciation days with discounted tickets.
These are just a few examples of the many teacher discounts available. Teachers can often save hundreds of dollars per year by taking advantage of these special offers.
How Teachers Can Find Discounts
Here are some tips for teachers to find discounts:
- Ask about teacher discounts – When making any major purchase, ask the retailer if they offer special teacher rates or discounts.
- Present teacher ID – Make sure to carry teacher identification and present it when asked for teacher discounts.
- Look online – Search for “teacher discounts” plus the store or product you are interested in to find current deals.
- Use teacher discount sites – Check sites like TeacherLists and WeAreTeachers that aggregate teacher discounts.
- Join teacher organizations – Many professional organizations like NEA and AFT offer members special discounts and benefits.
- Get a teacher rewards credit card – Cards like the Chase Teacher Credit Card provide cash back and discounts.
- Follow teacher deal sites on social media – Many websites post the latest teacher deals on Facebook and Twitter.
Taking a few minutes to look up any available teacher discounts before making purchases can add up to major savings over the course of a year.
Types of Stores Offering Teacher Discounts
Here is an overview of some of the most common types of businesses that offer teacher discounts and deals:
School and Office Supply Stores
Teacher discounts at school supply stores generally range from 10-20% off regular prices. Some popular stores include:
- Staples – 15% teacher discount on all purchases all year
- Office Depot – 15% off for teachers
- Michaels – 15% teacher discount every day
- Joann Fabric – 15% educator discount
Clothing and Accessory Retailers
Many clothing stores offer teacher discounts around 10-20% off regular prices. Some examples are:
- Banana Republic – 15% teacher discount
- Ann Taylor – 15% teacher discount
- LOFT – 15% discount for teachers
- J.Crew – 15% student and teacher discount
- Madewell – 15% discount for students and teachers
Department Stores
Major department stores that offer teacher discounts include:
- Macy’s – 20% discount on regular and sale prices for teachers
- Kohl’s – 15% teacher discounts on Wednesdays
- Target – 15% teacher discount on school supplies
Restaurants
Many restaurants offer freebies, discounts, and special deals for teachers when they show valid ID. For example:
- Applebee’s – Free appetizer for teachers one day a month
- Buffalo Wild Wings – 20% discount for teachers
- McAlister’s Deli – Free tea for teachers with entree purchase
- Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen – Free appetizer for teachers
Hotels and Transportation
Teachers can save on hotels, rental cars, and more. Some examples include:
- Hotels.com – Discounts on bookings for verified teachers
- Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz – Car rental discounts of up to 25%
- Amtrak – 15% teacher fare discount
- Greyhound – 20% off fares for teachers
As you can see, teachers can benefit from discounts at a wide variety of retailers, restaurants, and services. It pays to always ask about teacher rates!
Notable Teacher Discounts by City
Teacher discounts may vary based on geographic region. Here are some notable teacher deals available in major US cities:
New York City
- Up to $30 Broadway theater ticket discounts through Theater Development Fund
- Free one year membership at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
- Free entry to MoMA and other museums on certain days for New York City teachers
Los Angeles
- 25% discount on admission to Universal Studios Hollywood
- Free museum admission at The Getty Center
- 20% off at Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Chicago
- Free admission to Field Museum of Natural History
- Discounted tickets to Goodman Theatre performances
- 15% discount on Adler Planetarium tickets
Houston
- Free admission to Houston Zoo
- Discounted $29 Houston CityPASS for attractions
- 15% off admission to Children’s Museum of Houston
No matter what major city they live in, teachers should explore discounts on attractions, museums, theaters, and more.
How Teachers Can Save Additional Money
Aside from taking advantage of teacher discounts, there are other ways educators can save money:
- Buy used – Shop thrift stores, used bookstores, and used car dealerships.
- Create a budget – Track spending to cut unnecessary costs.
- Use cash back apps – Apps like Ibotta provide cash back on purchases.
- Join a credit union – Often better rates on loans and credit cards than banks.
- Negotiate bills – Call providers to ask about cheaper service plans.
- DIY gifts and decor – Make your own gifts and home decor when possible.
- Buy in bulk – Split bulk items with other teachers.
- Sell unused items – Sell on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace.
Using frugal living strategies along with taking advantage of all available teacher discounts can really maximize savings.
Educational Discounts for Teachers
In addition to regular retail discounts, many educational institutions and organizations offer special discounts, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement programs for teachers looking to further their degrees and professional development. Some examples include:
- Discounted graduate program tuition at universities partnered with school districts.
- Teacher scholarship and grant programs for continuing education.
- Reduced registration fees for teachers at professional development conferences and workshops.
- Educator discounts on annual memberships in professional teaching organizations.
- Fee waivers for teacher certification and licensure exams.
Teachers should explore all options at their school district and state level for educational discounts, tuition assistance, and reimbursement programs available to them.
Are Teacher Discounts Taxable?
While taking advantage of teacher discounts provides great savings, some teachers have questions about whether these special offers are considered taxable income. Here are some key things to know about the tax implications of teacher discounts:
- Most regular retail or consumer discounts are not taxable. For example, getting 15% off at a clothing store would not be considered income.
- Discounts based on employee status rather than a professional discount would be taxable. For example, discounts a family member gets from your school district employer.
- Discounts on travel, hotels, entertainment, and meals are usually taxable. Value of discount is generally reported on a W-2 form if over $600.
- Tuition reductions or discounts on education may count as taxable income. Scholarships and grants for teachers are generally not taxable.
Always save receipts and documentation when utilizing teacher discounts. Consult an accountant or tax professional with any specific tax-related questions.
Are Retirees Eligible for Teacher Discounts?
Many retailers and businesses that offer teacher discounts do extend those same discounts to retired teachers, though policies can vary. Here are some things retired teachers can do to take advantage of discounts:
- Maintain state teacher retirement ID card showing retiree status.
- Keep current membership in teacher organizations that provide discounts.
- Ask specifically about retiree discount policies when inquiring about teacher rates.
- Patronize businesses known to apply teacher discounts to retirees, like JOANN Fabric.
- Take advantage of senior citizen discounts in addition to teacher discounts when possible.
Retired teachers who spent decades in the profession should still be able to enjoy special savings and perks by showing proof of their years of service educating students.
Popular Teacher Discount Programs
Some of the biggest and most popular teacher discount programs include:
ID.me
ID.me provides a free online verification platform that allows teachers to prove their educator status in order to access discounts and deals from participating businesses. Some retailers with ID.me teacher discounts include Under Armour, Sunglass Hut, and Lenovo.
TeacherLists
TeacherLists is a website that compiles and shares an extensive list of teacher discounts across categories like clothing, technology, travel, and more. The site also shares discount codes and promotion details.
WeAreTeachers
WeAreTeachers is an online community for teachers that also curates and shares the best educator discounts available. The site provides deals, freebies, and contests tailored specifically to teachers.
NEA Member Benefits
NEA Member Benefits partners with a range of companies to bring discounts and funds back to National Education Association members. Savings are available on insurance, travel, entertainment, restaurants, and more.
Ways Schools Can Support Teachers Financially
Along with external teacher discounts, schools themselves can also provide more financial support to teachers in several key ways:
- Paying teachers a higher overall salary so they have more take-home pay.
- Offering annual cost of living increases to account for inflation.
- Providing merit-based bonuses to reward high-performing teachers.
- Covering costs of continuing education and professional development.
- Establishing teacher grant programs to help with out-of-pocket classroom expenses.
- Making contributions to 403b retirement plans.
- Allowing teachers to deduct union dues and expenses pre-tax via payroll.
- Subsidizing health insurance premiums and other benefits.
Districts investing more in teacher pay and benefits attract better talent and can improve teacher retention over the long run.
Corporate Programs Supporting Teachers
Some corporate giving programs provide major financial support and discounts for teachers nationwide:
AdoptAClassroom.org
AdoptAClassroom.org partners with corporate sponsors to provide funding and school supplies to preK-12 teachers for their classrooms. Sponsors include Burlington, Lakeshirts, and Pilot.
DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose facilitates online donations to fund teacher classroom materials and activities. Corporate partners include Google, Durham Brands, and Box Tops for Education.
Bright Future Jobs
Bright Future Jobs partners with brands like Office Depot, Michaels, and Lakeshirts to donate supplies, provide grants, and give discounts to teachers nationwide.
Overview of Teacher Discount Policies
Teacher discounts are available at a wide range of retailers, but policies can vary. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Always have teacher ID on hand – Usually required for verification.
- Ask up front about teacher discount availability – Don’t assume it’s offered.
- Understand exclusions – Some blackout periods or exclusions may apply.
- See if the discount applies online – May require digital teacher ID verification.
- Check current status – Policies can change and discounts may expire.
- Stack savings when possible – Combine with coupons, sales, loyalty programs, etc.
By staying organized, asking ahead, reading fine print, and stacking savings, teachers can maximize the discounts available to them.
Teachers Appreciation for Discounts
While their motivation is educating students, not financial perks, most teachers are very appreciative of the many teacher discounts available. A few reasons why include:
- Makes expenses more affordable – Savings add up on necessities like clothes, supplies, etc.
- Provides extra classroom resources – Allows purchasing more items for students.
- Offers flexibility in tight budgets – Helps make ends meet on a teacher’s salary.
- Creates feeling of being valued – Discount policies show teachers are appreciated.
- Enables pursuing professional growth – Savings can be applied toward development opportunities.
- Boosts job satisfaction – Perks improve overall experience of teaching.
Access to discounts not only helps financially, but can improve teacher morale, job satisfaction, and effectiveness in the classroom.
Conclusion
Teacher discounts provide a valuable benefit by giving educators access to exclusive savings in recognition of their service. Teachers at all levels can take advantage of these deals on everyday purchases as well as continuing education. Retailers, restaurants, attractions, professional organizations, and corporate giving programs all play a role in extending discounts and financial support to the teachers shaping future generations.