Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week kick off this week, with many restaurants offering discounts and freebies.
WASHINGTON — Teacher Appreciation Week is officially underway, thanking educators across the country.
The appreciation week kicked off on May 4 through May 8. Sandwiched in that week is National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 5.
For this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week, the National Education Association is calling on lawmakers to turn appreciation into action, asking:
“During Teacher Appreciation Week, communities across the country come together to honor the millions of public school educators who support every student, no matter their background or ZIP code,” NEA President Becky Pringle said in a statement. “This week is a time to celebrate the extraordinary impact educators have on our students and our future. They help students build confidence, discover their strengths, and reach their full potential, shaping the future every day. When we come together to support and invest in educators, we strengthen our public schools and expand opportunity for every student.”
Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated annually during the first full week in May. It was established by the NEA in 1985. National Teacher Day, which falls on the Tuesday of Teacher Appreciation Week, was first observed in 1953 when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt urged Congress to designate a day for educators.
National Nurses Week also kicks off on May 6 and extends through May 12. The week also features National Nurses Day, on May 6, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, a British nurse who was the foundational philosopher of modern nursing, according to Britannica.
National Nurses Week, Teacher Appreciation Week: Freebies, deals and discounts
Chipotle
Chipotle is kicking off May with a giveaway to teachers and healthcare workers. Teacher Appreciation Week, which is from May 4 until May 8, and National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6 until May 12, are overlapping this week.
The fast food chain is awarding as much as $2 million in free burritos to teachers and healthcare workers as part of the celebration. Last year, Chipotle said it received its highest participation to date.
The program began in 2016.
Teachers and healthcare workers can enter for a chance to win a free entree gift card on the respective giveaway websites until May 12. About 100,000 healthcare workers and 100,000 teachers will be randomly selected to verify their employment via ID.me.
If the winners are not able to verify employment, additional winners could be selected to go through the verification process.
Teachers can enter on this website and healthcare workers can enter the giveaway here.
Winners will be notified starting on May 13, according to Chipotle.
“At Chipotle, we’re committed to showing up for the communities we serve, and that starts with the people who make a difference every day,” Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing Stephanie Perdue said in a news release. “Recognizing teachers and healthcare workers through this program is one way we can give back meaningfully.”
Shake Shack
Shake Shack is offering teachers and nurses a free ShackBurger or Veggie Shack with the purchase of another menu item. The offer is valid from May 4 through May 12 at participating locations. Nurses and teachers must show a valid ID when redeeming the offer.
Einstein Bros Bagel
Teachers and nurses can get a free bagel and shmear with purchase on Wednesday, May 6. A valid work ID is necessary for the promotion.
The promotion is valid for educators and school staff at all levels, including pre-school, elementary, middle school, high school, university, and homeschooling parents, who present valid identification recognizing them as faculty, staff, or educational support. Additionally, all nurses, including but not limited to registered nurses, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, licensed vocational nurses or licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants.
McAlister’s Deli
McAlister’s Deli is offering a free iced tea during Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week. Teachers and nurses need to show a valid ID and can enjoy a free tea with no purchase necessary. The offer can be redeemed for sweet and unsweet tea, including half-sweet, unsweet or half lemonade and half sweet or unsweetened tea.
Insomnia Cookies
Rewards members can show their appreciation with 20% off online orders of cookie packs over 50 with the code EARNEDIT26.