Congrats!

I conducted business just like usual last week. I woke up each day, put on my Superhero cape, and continued to save the world from ignorance just as I always do every weekday. I didn't even realize that we have hit our halfway point of the year. It may not seem like a big deal to veteran teachers, but being halfway through your first year of teaching is HUGE! The first half of the year is always hectic for novice teachers. You spend everyday just trying to get into a routine. Although you may not fully be there yet, you can definitely see the end in sight now. You can begin your countdown to enjoying your summer off (hopefully). 

To celebrate making it this far, I welcome you into the Secret Society of Teachers. Okay, maybe there's no such group, but there are a lot of deals that teachers can take advantage of. Teachers are very underpaid. We deserve secret deals! If you join education groups such as American Federation of Teachers, you can get a lot more deals. These are just some of the deals that business offer up to us just for being fabulous:

ARTS, CRAFTS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES

1. The Container Store
   The organizational aficionados at The Container Store provide various discounts throughout the year when you sign up for the Organized Teacher Program. Register online for a free discount card to use for in-store and online purchases. If you visit a store, be sure to have your school ID.
2. Office Depot
   The free Office Depot Star Teacher Program grants privileged educators (aka those who sign up) five-percent off qualifying in-store purchases. You also get 15-percent of the price of all copy and print orders placed online or at a brick-and-mortar location.
3. Office Max
   The popular supply store offers a MaxPerks Rewards program specifically for teachers. Benefits include $10 in rewards for every $75 spent on qualifying purchases, and $2 in rewards for each ink or toner cartridge recycled. Sign-up online to get your membership card.
4. FedEx Office
   Thanks to the FedEx Office Academic Edge program you'll receive 15-percent off nearly all products, including brochures, business cards and photos. This discount is available both online and in-store.
5. Staples
   Register for the Staples Teacher Rewards Program to garner five-percent back in rewards points and free shipping from Staples.com. The program covers a slew of products, from ink and paper to teaching and art supplies. 
6. Joann Fabric
   The free Teacher Rewards Discount Card entitles educators to 15-percent off all purchases. Home schoolers are also eligible for the card and new members receive a 20-percent off bonus for signing up.
7. Hancock Fabric
   Flash your valid school ID at most Hancock Fabric retail locations and be rewarded with a discount of 10 percent on all purchases.
8. Michael's
   Receive 15% off your entire purchase every day. See a store associate for details as some exclusions may apply.
9. Hobby Lobby
   Hobby Lobby extends their 10-percent discount to a number of community organizations, including schools. The one catch is you have to pay with an organizational check or credit card.
10. Party City
    The more you spend at Party City, the bigger the discount gets. Save between 10 and 20 percent when you bring a signed letter on official letterhead from an officer of the school.
11. A.C. Moore
    A.C. Moore has increased the discount available through their Teacher Discount Program. Teachers can now save 15 percent on both regularly-priced and sale merchandise.
12. Inkjet Willy
    Inkjet Willy is a popular comparison site that helps you track down the lowest prices on ink and toner, and educators can save an extra 10 percent on orders of compatible or remanufactured cartridges using the coupon code WILLY10.
13. Pets in the Classroom
    This unique program offers K-8 teachers grants to help cover the cost of a pet for the classroom. The maximum grant amount is $150, but there are also a number of different grant types to help pay for pet supplies.
    
      
    
    BOOKS & MEDIA
    1. Barnes & Noble
       Through the B&N Educator Program teachers can save 20-percent off the publisher's list price on purchases for classroom use. During Educator Appreciation Days they offer discounts up to 25 percent.
       
    2. PBS
       Educators who sign up for the PBS LearningMedia program will receive free access to tens of thousands of videos, games, lesson plans and other educational materials for the classroom.
    3. Books-A-Million
       Certain brick-and-mortar locations grant teachers a 20-percent discount on most purchases just for asking. Call ahead to be sure your local store honors the discount and, if they don't, see if they offer a compromise.
    4. MagMall
       Teachers will receive special pricing on magazine subscriptions ordered through MagMall. Tell them the name of your school and your position there to receive discounts up to 50-percent off.
    5. The New York Times
       Teachers can get one of America’s most popular newspapers delivered to their door at half-pricethanks to their special rate for educators. Plus, the first four weeks will cost you just $0.99.
    
    
    CLOTHING
1. Ann Taylor Loft
   Fashion forward educators are rewarded for their posh style through the Loft Loves Teachersprogram. Register to get 15-percent off all in-store purchases, plus an introductory discount for new members.
2. The Limited
   Show a school ID or valid pay stub when you shop at any The Limited location and snag 15-percent off your entire in-store purchase. The offer is good for all items on the racks, walls or tables. In other words, everything.
3. Aerosoles
   Show your school ID at Aerosoles stores and take 15-percent off any footwear purchase of $39.99 or more.
4. New York and Co.
   New York and Co. grants any educator with a valid school ID 15-percent off every in-store purchase.
5. J. Crew 
   Visit the local J. Crew, flash your school ID, and be rewarded with 15-percent off designer duds from the dapper dudes. This discount is only available in stores.
6. CJ Banks/Christopher and Banks
   Teachers can enjoy 10-percent off their in-store purchases at both stores. All you'll need is your school ID at checkout.
7. J. Jill
   With a valid teacher’s ID, you’ll get 15-percent off full-price, in-store purchases.
8. Banana Republic
   Banana Republic offers a 15-percent off deal to any teacher with a valid school ID. This deal must be redeemed at their store locations.

      ELECTRONICS & SOFTWARE

1. Apple Store
   The House of Jobs is surprisingly generous to teachers of all grade levels, offering varying discounts up to $200 on computers and accessories through the Apple Education Store. This offer also includes librarians, home schoolers and university profs.
2. Bose
   The Bose offer is primo, particularly for those in need of sonic stimulation. Variable discounts are available on all music systems and accessories. Call their Sales Solution Team at 1-800-353-4027 for pricing and to place an order.
3. Dell
   If your school is affiliated with Dell you can get 2- to 4-percent off the final price of any desktop or laptop, as well as software peripherals. Call Customer Service before paying to apply the discount.
4. Cell Phone Companies (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint)
   This discount varies by provider, but teachers can save loads on a personal cell phone bill, sometimes up to 20 percent a month. Visit your provider's business or discount portal and input your .edu email address to check if your institution is registered.
5. Adobe
   Shop direct from the Adobe Education Store and receive discounts on select software, including bundles and suites. Adobe requires proof of employment as an educator before applying the discount.
6. HP
   Sign up for the HP Academy program to receive exclusive discounts and free shipping on all orders.
7. Lenovo
   Teachers may receive a discount on their purchase from the computer connoisseurs at Lenovo simply for being, well, themselves. Call Customer Service at 1-866-968-4465 to see what kind of discount they will offer.
8. Sony
   Discounts on projectors and flat-panel displays vary when you register and buy through the program portal, but most lie in the 5- to 10- percent off range.
9. Software Express 
   The online outlet Software Express grants discounts of up to 85 percent on a host of programs from Adobe, McAfee and Microsoft. Submit copies of your valid school ID and state driver's license to Customer Service before completing your order.
10. Academic Superstore
    Academic Superstore is another online software outlet that sells a slew of products for up to 85-percent off. Discounts are available year-round with proof of employment as a teacher.
11. JourneyEd
    This is yet another site where educators can find huge savings on popular software. After placing your order, confirm your status as a teacher to apply the discount. 

INSURANCE

1. Farmers Insurance
   Farmers extends additional discounts to teachers, but these special rates vary based on state and prior driving record. For more details, contact a local agent.
2. Liberty Mutual
   Liberty Mutual extends extra benefits such as a $0 deductible for damage that occurs on school property or during school-related events. Because it’s insurance, rates are dependent on your state and driving record.

HOTELS & ATTRACTIONS

1. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel
   Teachers are eligible for a variety of discounted rates at the Swan and Dolphin hotel, located securely in the center of Walt Disney World in Orlando. Availability also varies based on season and demand. Mention you're an educator when booking.
2. Marriott Hotels
   Marriott grants teachers a discount at a slew of hotels across the nation. Whether you book on-line or in-person, show your school ID at check-in to receive the special rate. Rules on this discount are a bit vague -- they mention government employees, which would imply only public school employees -- but most hotel employees don't bite. Feel free to ask.
3. Regal Cinemas 
   Regal Cinemas regularly have discount tickets for teachers (and students), good for all show times. Call or visit beforehand, as not every location honors the discount or offers the same price. Like there's time for a film with all those papers piling up, anyway. Guess that's why summer exists.
4. SeaWorld 
   Register for the Teacher Study Pass program, an exclusive for K-12 teachers in Florida, Texas and Southern California, and get unlimited free admission for the year. Bring a copy of your teaching certificate, a current pay stub and photo ID to the SeaWorld front gate to obtain a new pass or renew an old one.
5. National Park Service
   Show a valid school ID at a slew of National Park Service visitor centers across the nation and receive 15-percent off many purchases. The discount doesn't apply to park entry fees, camping fees or Smokey the Bear petting zoo fees. 
6. Kennedy Space Center
   Florida treats its teachers well and occasionally lets folks from Georgia in on the fun. Registered educators from both states are eligible for a free, full-fledged Educator Study Pass. Show a valid teaching certificate and recent pay stub to any ticket agent for an annual pass.
7. Legoland Florida 
   Florida teachers K-12 can enjoy an entire year of free admission with the Florida Teacher Pass. Bring your most recent paystub, Florida photo ID and teaching certificate to receive your pass.
8. Elvis Presley's Graceland 
   K-12 teachers receive free admission to tour the former Memphis, Tenn. estate of The King with a valid school ID or recent pay stub.