Teacher Discounts

As the new school year is just around the corner and Target, Office Depot, Walmart, etc have their school supplies out, let's talk about one of the perks of being a teacher--teacher discounts. You'll probably know most of these but hopefully you'll find a new one or two.

Organizational/General Supplies

• Office Depot has WorkLife Rewards/Star Teacher Program for teachers and have a Saturday even for teachers sometime before the new school year with goodies and bags of stuff.
• The Container Store has The Organized Teacher program. Sign up and you'll get a coupon good for 15% off purchases for your classroom, which can be used multiple times up until Sept. 7. (Because what teacher doesn't need more organizational supplies...)
• Staples has the Teacher's Rewards program. They also have a Saturday event for teachers much like Office Depot's.
• Jo-Ann's Fabric & Craft Store has a teacher discount program. Show your ID and they'll give you a 15% discount coupon. They'll also add you to their preferred customer list to get additional discounts and notifications of sales during the year. Fabric is great for covering bulletin boards. I used fabric in school colors to cover my cabinets full of miscellaneous items and it didn't matter whether the cabinets were organized or not--no one could see it!
• Big Lots has the Buzz Club and when you sign up there is a box to check that you are a teacher and they will email you special discounts, prizes and give aways just for teachers! Just think of how you can fill your prize box!
• AC Moore also has a teacher discount program. Show your ID at the store and sign up. You can't use your discount on line. Click on the link for more information--go to the Discounts section of the FAQ.

Books

• Barnes and Nobles has a teacher program. You can receive 20% off on purchases for yourself and your classroom. They are also giving out plastic cards now so you can use your discount online.
• Borders has a teacher discount program. You can receive 20% off books and materials for the classroom. Show your ID and the cashier will give you the appropriate forms. Walden Books is an affiliate and has the teacher discount as well.

Clothes

• Anne Taylor Loft has a program called Loft Loves Teachers. They will send you endless coupons, notices, and reminders about sales.
• New York and Company has a 15% discount for teachers. Show your id badge. They also have a 15% discount for AAA Members. I'm not sure if you can combine the two.

Miscellaneous

• Apple has discounted prices for teachers for iPods, computers, and various 3rd party software. Just find your school and start shopping!
• The Museum of Crime and Punishment in Washington, D.C. allows teachers and one guest complementary admission with ID. (Normally between $17-$20. You'll get emails but it's well worth it.) They are also having a teacher event this fall. They have designed curriculum to go with several themes.
• Half Price Books in Texas and various other states has an educators discount. 10% off plus half price on books= great deals!

Varies by School System

Many school systems have employee incentives or discounts with a variety of service providers such as:

• Cell phone companies
• Apartment complexes
• Movers
• Health and fitness clubs
• Computer Software
• Insurance companies

My school system has a page about these employee incentives in the HR area of the website. Just take a look around!

Discounts I've Heard About But Can't Confirm Online

• J Crew has a 15% discount for teachers. Just show your ID.
• Books a Million has a 20% discount for teachers for whatever they want to buy. I would guess if you went to a store and showed your ID they would steer you the correct way.
• Payless Shoe Store has a teacher discount, not sure how much.

I'm sure there are thousands more discounts out there for teachers that I've missed but they are out there--you just have to ask for them! Don't be afraid to ask for them--the worst they say is no and at best you just got a discount, especially in this economy.

One other quick tip, if you don't have your ID on you but you do have your insurance card that states that you work for XX School System, you can sometimes use that in lieu of your ID.

Happy Shopping!