Teacher Appreciation Week: Deals, How To Thank Coventry Educators

COVENTRY, RI — National Teacher Appreciation Week is observed this year from May 1-7.

There's no better time to let the people in Coventry who show up for your kids every day know how much you value them. Teacher Appreciation Day itself is Tuesday, May 3.

Teachers in Rhode Island are closing out one of the toughest school years many of them can remember amid teacher and staff shortages, student behavior problems and increasing polarization surrounding what should be taught.

At the same time, teachers often dig into their own bank accounts to pay for classroom supplies. An Economic Policy Institute analysis three years ago found the average teacher spent $459 a year on classroom supplies. The highest inflation in 40 years hasn’t helped.

There are several ways to show your appreciation. One we like is DonorsChoose, established in 2000 by a teacher in the Bronx to connect teachers and donors. Currently, there are thousands of teacher requests you can support with whatever donation works for your budget. DonorsChoose ships the supplies directly to the teacher.

In the 22-year history of the program:

• 721,535 teachers have been funded;
• 2,268,851 classroom projects have been funded;
• 5,248,525 people have donated.

One of those projects comes from a Coventry teacher.

Toniebox for Reading Engagement — Ms. Tourangeau, Washington Oak Elementary School: "Help me give my students access to highly motivating reading and listening tools."

Here’s another incentive to support DonorsChoose. On Tuesday, Teacher Appreciation Day, Sonic Drive-In will match up to $1.5 million in donations made to the national nonprofit. Sonic is also offering teachers a free cheeseburger with everyone who is enrolled in its Teachers’ Circle rewards program available through its app, including the Warwick location.

Several national chains, including restaurants and retail companies, are offering deals. We’ve rounded up a few of them (be sure to check availability where applicable at your local stores):

Ann Taylor Loft: Through its Loft Loves Teachers program, educators with a valid school identification get 15 percent off full-price items.

Crayola: Website visitors can get 20 percent off gifts for teachers through May 8 with the code EDUCATORS. The company also created the Self Care Art Supply Gift Set, an internet exclusive that includes eight products to help teachers indulge in self-care and restoration.

Laffy Taffy: The first 100 teachers each day from Monday, May 2, to Friday, May 6, who register on the website by sharing their favorite joke will receive a care package, plus be entered in a drawing for $5,000 to be used for a vacation to a tropical destination. Students, parents and others can nominate their teachers.

Staples: Customers who sign up for the Classroom Rewards program through the chain's app can earn 5 percent back when they shop for local teachers.