Last checked: September 14, 2026. Standing resource, updated as programs change. “Published” means the merchant states the discount on its own site. Most educator programs verify through SheerID or ID.me, or require a school ID or pay stub in store. Eligibility often extends beyond classroom teachers to paraprofessionals, administrators, homeschool educators and college faculty — each merchant defines it differently.
Teachers spend their own money on classrooms every year, and a surprising number of national retailers have built standing discount programs around that fact. The programs are real, but they’re scattered, the percentages vary, and the eligibility rules are often broader than teachers assume. This is the consolidated list, by category, restricted to programs the merchant itself publishes. Where we have a full page on the program, it’s linked.
Craft, school and office supply
| Merchant | Educator discount | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michaels | 15% off in store for educators | Michaels Rewards + verification | Eligibility is wider than “teacher.” Full policy |
| Joann | Teacher Rewards discount (percentage off; program details on Joann’s site) | Verification in store/online | Check current status — Joann’s retail footprint changed in 2025 |
| Hobby Lobby | No standing educator discount; weekly 40%-off coupon retired in 2021 | — | Listed so you don’t hunt for it |
| Staples | Educator program with rewards/discount tiers | Staples Rewards + verification | Details |
| Office Depot / OfficeMax | Educator rewards program (percentage back in rewards on supplies) | Rewards account + verification | Back-to-school bonus periods |
| Oriental Trading | Educator pricing / school account options | Account | Details |
| Lakeshore Learning | Teacher discount club (percentage off, in store) | Free membership + verification | Standing program |
Books
| Merchant | Educator discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Barnes & Noble | 20% off publisher’s list price on classroom purchases, in store, with Educator card | Higher percentage during Educator Appreciation events. Full page |
| Scholastic | Teacher store pricing, bonus points via Book Clubs | Standing program |
| Half Price Books | Educator discount card (percentage off) | Show school ID in store |
Software and technology
| Merchant | Educator offer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | Canva for Education free for K–12 teachers | How to qualify |
| Apple | Education pricing on Mac and iPad for faculty and staff | Apple Education Store |
| Microsoft | Free Microsoft 365 Education for eligible school emails; hardware discounts via Education store | School email |
| Adobe | Education pricing on Creative Cloud for teachers | Verification |
| Dell, HP, Lenovo | Education stores with member pricing | Verification / ID.me |
| Samsung | Education offers program | School email |
Clothing and footwear
| Merchant | Educator discount |
|---|---|
| Under Armour | 20% off for teachers (plus military and first responders). Details |
| J.Crew, Madewell, Ann Taylor, LOFT, Banana Republic | Teacher discounts (typically 15%) in store with ID at participating locations |
| Adidas, Reebok, Columbia, Crocs, Sperry | Educator discounts through SheerID/ID.me verification |
| Champion, Hanes | Educator pricing via verification |
Home, auto and everyday
| Merchant | Educator offer |
|---|---|
| Costco | Periodic new-member promotions marketed to educators through verification platforms |
| Sam’s Club | Periodic educator membership offers |
| Auto insurers (Horace Mann, Liberty Mutual, State Farm and others) | Educator-specific policies or discounts |
| Cell carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) | Teacher/education plan discounts with verification |
| Cinemas, museums, zoos | Educator admission programs vary locally; many offer free or reduced educator memberships |
Restaurants
Standing national teacher discounts at restaurants are rare; most are Teacher Appreciation Week (early May) promotions. Chains that have run recurring educator events include Chipotle, Sonic, Chick-fil-A (local), and various casual-dining brands. We list them on this page each May as they’re announced with sources.
Eligibility: broader than you think
Michaels, Barnes & Noble, Staples and most verification-platform programs extend eligibility to some combination of: K–12 teachers, teaching assistants and paraprofessionals, administrators, school librarians, college and university faculty, early-childhood educators, and homeschool parents (with proof). Read each merchant’s definition rather than assuming you don’t qualify.
How to set up once
- Create SheerID and ID.me profiles with your school verification. Most programs route through one or the other.
- Carry your school ID; in-store programs (B&N, Michaels, Half Price Books, apparel) still ask for it.
- Enroll in the rewards programs the discounts are attached to (Michaels Rewards, B&N Educator, Staples Rewards) before your first purchase.
- Calendar Teacher Appreciation Week (first full week of May) and back-to-school (July–August) — the two windows when the percentages go up.
What we could not verify
Percentages at apparel retailers and current participation of individual franchise locations change without notice; we describe the program and link the merchant page where we have checked specifics. Joann’s program status should be confirmed on Joann’s site given the company’s 2025 store changes.
Sources: each merchant’s own educator program page; SheerID and ID.me program directories. See how we verify, our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure (no affiliate relationships with any merchant listed). Know a published program we’re missing? Send it. Companion list: student discounts.