Celebrate Teachers! Discounts for educators to start the new school year

Ninety-four percent of teachers pay for classroom expenses out of their own pockets, with the average spending $480 a year. Teachers do so much for our students—so as we begin this school year, let’s take some time to thank them. After all, they’re responsible for educating a future generation of young people skilled enough to continue to innovate and grow our nation.

Nuvision has sponsored many programs helping both teachers and students, from our past essay challenges to donating calculators to a local classroom.

This week,

This week, we wanted to share some of the numerous discounts and events held around the area in celebration of teachers this month. Here are a few of the best:

Local Discounts

There are a small number of teacher-specific providers in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas that may provide teacher discounts. The three main ones are Lakeshore Learning Store, Neely’s Educational Materials and Supplies, and CM School Supply.

Lakeshore Learning Store

Lakeshore Learning is a national chain that specializes in providing teacher supplies. This is a great spot for new supplies and has almost anything a teacher needs. There are several locations in the Los Angeles area. Right now, you can take advantage of their biggest sale of the year, their back to school sale, and save on up to 20% off on all sorts of classroom supplies both online and in-store.

Neely’s Educational Materials and Supplies

Neely’s may not have any doorbusters, but Neely’s does have the unique position of being one of the only remaining new and second-hand teacher supply shops in the city of Los Angeles. As a result, Neely’s works hard to keep their prices low and accessible for teachers so that they can provide their classrooms with all the tools necessary to see their students succeed. The store does still have sales sometimes, so it is more than worth stopping by to check in and see what’s available.

CM School Supply

CM School Supply is a local California based teacher supply store chain “founded by teachers, for teachers.” Like Lakeshore and Neely’s, this store chain has an extensive selection of teaching supplies. Although no sales are listed right now, they often hold giveaways and are currently offering a special giveaway through local radio station 99.1 KGGI for a free backpack full of back to school goodies.

This could be an awesome gift for a student who may need supplies, so it is worth calling in to try and win. As an added perk they also are offering a second chance to win something big. Registering with them at 991kggifm.com/back2school could yield two tickets to Disneyland Resort, a worthwhile win for either a teacher or a lucky student.

California Teachers Association

Finally, as an added bonus, teachers can also sign up with the California Teachers Association if they have not already done so for access to a wide variety of discounts and programs as well as having the support of one of California’s strongest teachers’ unions.

Online and In-store Chain Discounts

Besides local places to find school supplies and discounts, many big-box retailers and chains offer plenty of promotions for teachers, especially during the back to school season. Some of these specials may only be online or in-store. Here are just a few.

Barnes and Noble

For the rest of the summer through Sept. 15, Barnes and Noble bookstores are offering a whopping 25% off on most merchandise to schoolteachers, educational administrators, and homeschoolers. All that is needed is a Barnes Noble Educator Discount Card which can be signed up for free either in-store or online at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/bn-educators. To top this off, even if teachers miss the sale, they can still get in on the action. Barnes and Noble offers a 20% discount on select purchases year-round.

Books-A-Million

Similarly, Books-A-Million also offers a complimentary educator’s discount that enables teachers to get 20% off on all items in store. While they can’t get the 20% off online, free shipping is available.

Joann

Teachers in need of a little creativity for their classrooms will be happy to know that Joann offers a generous teacher discount program over at www.joann.com/teacherrewardsform which will allow them to get 15% on purchases any day of the year.

Dollar General

This value chain is offering even bigger bargains than they already do with 20% off for teachers purchasing stationary. All they have to do is show a valid school ID. The discount is available at most locations but check your local store to be sure.

Office Depot/OfficeMax

Office stores are always a great place for teacher discounts, and Office Depot and OfficeMax are no exception. Currently, they are offering a coupon at www.officedepot.com/teachers through Sept. 28 that can be redeemed in-store on certain purchases for 20% back via store rewards.

Staples

Staples offers a piece of the action too for teachers through a brand-new program called Classroom Rewards. This program lets parents chip in and gives 5% of their purchases to a teacher or a school of their choosing. Teachers can potentially earn up to $250 to use and can sign up at www.staples.com/classroomrewards. It is also worth checking in with local stores in the area to see if they are holding any “Back to School Block Party” events. These pop-up events allow parents and teachers to get a 20% discount on school supply shopping while also featuring giveaways.

BJs

BJs frequently offers a discounted membership rate for educators through local teachers’ unions and organizations. Checking with the local unions and joining one can be a great way to get access to this perk which will be perfect for stocking up on basic classroom supplies in bulk like cleaning supplies and even some school supplies. Not every store offers this, so it is important to check with local teachers’ organizations.

Home Depot and Lowes

Both these hardware stores can be a great place for educators to head if they need supplies to help them put their classroom together. Each store offers no sales tax on purchases. All teachers have to do is show their tax-exempt documents at the time of purchase. These offers can only be honored in-store.

Legoland California

Even teachers need to unwind sometimes. To honor classroom teachers for their hard work and service, Legoland is a proud provider of Teacher Appreciation Days. On these days, California classroom teachers can get free admission to the parks as well as a discount on their friends/family. Legoland offers these discounts on Saturdays and Sundays starting from Sept. 1—Nov. 17. All teachers need to do is get verified and reserve their tickets in advance and bring their teacher IDs with them at the time of claiming the tickets. Only California classroom teachers may apply.

Local Events for Teachers

Summer may be over, but that means learning is just beginning for both teachers and students. Below are just a few of the local events being held in the Los Angeles and Orange County area over the next month or two that can help give educators a leg up on their classroom skills.

Teacher’s Pet Play Date (Multiple Locations)

Grab your dog and come on down to your local Healthy Spot location for a little rest and relaxation with the pups before school is back in session. This Sunday, August 18, 2019, Healthy Spot is putting on playdate events at their stores for educators to bring their furry friends out and let them off leash to play for a while. They will be treated bags from The Honest Kitchen for the first 25 pups and crafts and a raffle as well. Festivities begin at 5 pm PDT and admission is free.

Teacher Celebration Breakfast

Put on by Office Depot and OfficeMax, this breakfast will be held in honor and celebration of teachers and all they do. It will be held over at the OfficeMax in Mission Viejo, CA at 26940 Crown Valley Parkway, 92691. Breakfast begins promptly at 9 am on Saturday, August 17, 2019, and goes till 11 am PDT. Breakfast is free, and the only thing required is a Teacher ID.

Teacher Appreciation Day at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point

At 9:30 am PDT on Sunday, August 18, 2019, teachers can check in to enjoy a day of educator celebration with the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. Teachers are free with a valid school ID and can also bring in a guest for just $15. A guided tour will be offered of the facilities, followed by a complimentary lunch and then a marine mammal tour in the afternoon. Ocean Institute is located at Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA, 92629.

Slow Flows in Reynier Park

While not teacher-specific, this event held every Saturday in Reynier park may be the perfect way for a teacher to relax into the school year. Head over to 2803 Reynier Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90034, for a relaxing yoga session presented by a Certified Rishikesh Yoga Instructor with over 200 hours of training experience. Both beginner and intermediate friendly, you can find an upcoming class on this Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at 11 am PDT, or attend one of their other regular Saturday sessions. Attendance is free.

These are just some of the things available to teachers the rest of this month, so get out there and take advantage of those discounts if you are an educator, or if you are a parent or student find some way to help out and say thank you for all that you do.

The importance of supporting our teachers, and ways you can help

It is through education that our kids learn about the world and grow with it, and by giving them a solid foundation of core concepts upon which they can build upon, teachers ensure that we continue to remain a prosperous and competitive nation. Teachers also provide children with the fuel to inspire their dreams and aspirations, and it is thanks to this support and encouragement of open thinking that we can count on our young ones to continue to carry the flag for us.

You can help honor teachers’ work by supporting them in a variety of ways. Not only can you provide strong emotional support to enable your child’s learning at home, but you can encourage good communication and a healthy working relationship with your child’s teacher. They will thank you for it. Finally, you can help them as well by supporting them in donating school supplies to their classrooms, which are frequently underfunded or not funded at all by their states.

As a member of Nuvision, you’re also helping support the outreach work we do. You can stay involved by keeping an eye out for updates on programs on our blog, or sharing articles like these to help our teachers feel appreciated and take advantage of these discounts.