10 of My Favorite Places That Offer Teacher Discounts

Has there ever been a time when teachers haven't spent their own money on their classrooms? Probably not, but in an era of slashed budgets, many teachers are reaching even deeper into their own wallets to purchase classroom supplies and teaching materials. To help you save a little dough this year on your classroom and yourself, I’d like to share a list of places offering discounts for educators.

10 of Our Favorite Places That Offer Teacher Discounts

Right now, Staples is offering a 50-percent-off discount on classroom posters, banners, and signs. Normally, it would cost $12.99 to print 11”X17” posters, but for a limited time, you can take half off the original price! The offer is only valid if you call by phone, or upload your image and order online here.

Book Warehouse offers a 15 percent discount for all public, private, home-school teachers, librarians, and professors. There is no cost to join. Simply show your teacher identification card or similar document and then fill out Book Warehouse’s Educator's Card. For a list of store locations, click here.

At Books a Million, any educator with an identification card will receive 20 percent off of most books purchased for classroom use. Click here to find a store near you.

Here is a hefty collection of bed and breakfasts participating in the Travel for Teachers program. Some B&Bs offer free nights while others offer teacher appreciation packages that include discounted rates (25% off), free massages, wine and other amenities.

Educators Travel Network is sort of like a time-share, but for teachers. Membership (a mere $36 a year) grants you use of thousands of homestays throughout the country. Depending on the location and availability, you’ll either be hosted ($40/night) by another member or stay in the member’s home while s/he is away ($50/night).

Click on the Destinations tab to view the ETN’s complete membership directory. This page introduces you to current ETN members, tells you a little bit about them and describes their accommodations.

Educators are eligible to pay no sales tax at Lowe's. Simply present a tax exempt form with your school's tax ID number.

Like us, Loft thinks it’s about time that teachers took a break from spending money on their classrooms and splurged on themselves. Loft’s teachers program offers teachers perks including:

• 15 percent off your full-price purchase every day
• Sweepstakes exclusively for teachers
• A chance to win an annual $50,00 grant
• Teacher appreciation nights
  
  

To sign up for their program, click here.

Men, we didn’t forget you. J. Crew and Banana Republic both offer a 15 percent discount with a valid teacher’s ID.

What is a classroom without a classroom pet? Pets in the Classroom offers a variety of grants to help you cover the cost of welcoming your favorite furry, slithery or swimming creature to your classroom community. Simply fill out the application, tell them about yourself, your students and your classroom to be considered for a grant award.

There are seven grant awards, including:

1. Rebate Grants in the amounts of $75 (for small animals or birds) or $125 (for reptiles or fish) for purchases at pet stores;
2. Sustaining Grant in the amount of $50 to maintain an existing classroom pet;
3. Petco Grant, which provides coupons for the live animal, pet habitat and supplies purchased at Petco;
4. Petsmart Grant, which provides coupons for the live animal, pet habitat and supplies purchased at Petsmart;
5. Pet Supermarket Grant, which provides coupons for live animal and pet supplies purchased at Pet Supermarket;
6. Pet Supplies Plus Grant, which provides coupons for live animal and supplies purchased at Pet Supplies Plus Stores;
7. Petland Discounts Grant, which provides coupons for live animal and supplies purchased at Petland Discounts Stores.
   
   

Chicago is only a short road trip from where we are in Detroit, so we frequent the Windy City as often as we can. If you’re in the area, stop by the Shedd Aquarium and flash your teacher ID for free general admission.