Shopping For The School Year? These Retailers Offer Discounts for Teachers

Updated August 4, 2020

School supplies, classroom crafts, poster boards — all necessary items for a fun and educational school year. But costs can add up quickly, and teachers are already spending an average of $500 out of their own pocket for school supplies each year.

We know you’re not required to spend your own money on your students. We also know you end up doing it anyway, and that’s why we’re inspired by — and grateful for — what you do, every day. You’re dedicated to your students, and you want to give them the best tools to ensure their success.

So if you find yourself wanting to buy supplies for your classroom, don’t forget that many businesses try to lend a hand by giving educators some assistance. Here’s a quick list of Labor Day and year-round discounts that might help ease your costs.

Office Depot & OfficeMax

The mega-supply store Office Max/Office Depot (they’re one thing now) offers a MaxPerks Rewards program. That program already comes with some benefits — including 2% back in rewards on qualifying purchases and $2 in rewards when you recycle your ink or toner cartridge or leave a product review.

Staples

The Staples Rewards Program also gives $2 in rewards for recycled ink cartridges (sensing a theme here), up to 5% back in rewards, and free next-day delivery on orders over $50.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft

Crafts are huge in the classroom, as you know, and so is the price for crafting supplies. The free Teacher Rewards Discount Card saves you 15% on every purchase, every day.

Michaels

Like Jo-Ann’s, Michaels also offers 15% off entire purchases, every day, available in-store only. They’re also offering 20% off entire purchases during the month of August.

Naked Binder

Naked Binder makes 100% eco-friendly, sustainable office supplies. They offer an exclusive discount rate for teachers, including a back-to-school promotion and long-term offers.

Barnes and Noble

With the B&N Educators Program, teachers receive 20% off the publisher’s list price on all purchases for classroom use, and save up to 25% during Educator Appreciation Days.

Half Price Books

With book prices already significantly lowered, Half Price Books offers educators an additional 10% discount on their purchases all year round.

The New York Times

Stay up to date on current events in the classroom with the New York Times’ special academic rate for teachers. Basic packages with unlimited online accessibility are $1.88 a week and all-access packages (including the crossword puzzles) are just $3.13 a week.

The Container Store

The Container Store’s Organized Teacher Program offers educators special discounts throughout the year to organize their classrooms. This program ends December 31, 2019.

Rothy’s

Rothy’s is offering teachers 20% off their chic and comfortable shoes made from recycled plastic water bottles.

Amazon

There’s always deals and merchandise variety to find on Amazon. You can shop their special back to school section to find school supplies, cleaning supplies, and digital resources for teaching.