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Pre-kindergarten teacher Daniela Guzman lines up her students in the hallway before entering their classroom at Becker Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Austin. The school is scheduled to close at the end of the 2025-26 school year.<\/p>\n
Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Apples and pencils are nice gifts for teachers<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 but fast food companies are proving you can never wrong with free food<\/a>.<\/p>\n This Teacher Appreciation Week, it\u2019s clear that gratitude for\u00a0school staff<\/a> extends beyond students and their families. Throughout the week, educators can enjoy freebies, discounts and perks as they\u2019re celebrated by communities. Here\u2019s a roundup of some of the ways teachers can feel this love, from the stomach to the heart.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n When is Teacher Appreciation Week 2026?<\/p>\n Annually held the first full week of May, Teacher Appreciation Week celebrates the dedication and hard work of educators in the U.S.<\/p>\n This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is Monday, May 4, through Friday, May 8.<\/p>\n When is Teacher Appreciation Week 2026? Dates for teachers, school nurses and principals<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n When is Teacher Appreciation Day 2026?<\/p>\n Teacher Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on the Tuesday of the first full week of May. This year, it is May 5.<\/p>\n Teacher Appreciation Week 2026 food deals<\/p>\n Buffalo Wild Wings: 20% off<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Buffalo Wild Wings<\/a> is offering a 20% discount to teachers and school staff, for dine in or takeout orders. The offer is only valid for customers\u00a0with a proper ID from Monday, May 4 through Sunday, May 10.<\/p>\n Some Chick-fil-A locations<\/a> are offering freebies like chicken sandwiches, nuggets or breakfast items to customers with valid teacher\u2019s ID. Such offers are available at the local owner\u2019s discretion, so it\u2019s a good idea to check your\u00a0Chick-fil-A ahead of time.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Chipotle: E-gift card giveaway<\/p>\n The eatery is giving away $2 million<\/a> in e-gift cards for teachers and healthcare workers. Through May 12, customers who verify\u00a0their employment can sign up to receive an e-gift card valid for a free regular menu item. A total of 100,000 teachers and 100,000 healthcare employees will be selected and must verify their employment to receive the prize.<\/p>\n To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4 through May 8) and National Nurses Week (May 6 through May 12), up to 100,000 healthcare workers and 100,000 teachers, randomly selected and verified through ID.me, will receive free entr\u00e9e e-gift cards, totaling as much as $2 million in free Chipotle<\/p>\n Hand-out\/Chipotle Mexican Grill<\/p>\n \u201cAt Chipotle, we\u2019re committed to showing up for the communities we serve, and that starts with the people who make a difference every day,\u201d said Stephanie Perdue, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing at Chipotle. \u201cRecognizing teachers and healthcare workers through this program is one way we can give back meaningfully.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Insomnia Cookies: BOGO Classic cookies<\/p>\n Teachers and nurses with valid work IDs or badges get a buy one, get one free deal on Classic cookies at Insomnia Cookies<\/a>. The deal can only be redeemed in-store and excludes Limited Time Only flavors, on Tuesday, May 5 through Tuesday, May 12.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Teachers who enroll in the Sonic Teachers\u2019 Circle program<\/a> can get a free drink or slush\u00a0through the Sonic app.<\/p>\n Whataburger: Free breakfast<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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