It’s always so exciting to head back to school at the end of a nice, relaxing summer. It can also be expensive, especially for teachers who don’t get much of a school-sponsored classroom budget. From new bulletin board decor to dry-erase markers to storage bins, too many teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to create the best learning environment for their students.

The good news is that there are ways to stretch your budget. STA is happy to share the following tips that can help you save money while prepping your classroom for another amazing year.

Take advantage of teacher discounts via a free verification program. One of the most widely used verification tools is ID.me. Activating your IDme account is an easy one-time setup, and then you can use it with hundreds of brands.

SheerID is similar to ID.me and can be used with clothing brands, travel companies, and subscription services like Hulu and Peacock.

Some traditional stores will verify your teacher status at checkout. Ann Taylor is my favorite for this!

Pro Tip: Ask! Many local businesses offer unadvertised discounts just for showing your badge, so it doesn't hurt to ask! Flash your badge and ask if they offer an educator discount. This reminds me of one of my favorite memes:  

Me: I was trying to get a teacher discount when the cashier asked for my school ID. "I don't have it with me, but I can show you a mean email I got from a parent this morning."

Cashier: "That'll do."

Here are some more of the top teacher discounters:

Target

Who doesn’t love Target?!? For the back-to-school season, Target offers teachers a 20% discount on one qualifying purchase through Target Circle. This offer runs July 5th – September 12, 2026. It’s a one-time-use coupon that can be applied to in-store and online orders for classroom supplies, apparel, and other essentials. K-12 teachers and staff, college/university instructors, daycare and early childhood center workers, and homeschool teachers are all eligible for this discount.

How to Get the Discount  

• Sign Up for Target Circle
• Verify Your Status: Go to your account settings in the Target App or on the Target Website under the "Discounts" or "Verify status" section to submit your teacher credentials.
• Use the Coupon: Once verified, the 20% off reward appears in your Target Circle wallet to use in-store or applies automatically at checkout online.

Reddit users recommend waiting until your cart is fully stocked with all your goodies to maximize the single-use savings.

Office Depot & OfficeMax

Once you have been verified, these stores will offer a 20% off coupon on one regular- or sale-priced purchase. If you sign up for their rewards program, you can earn 25% back in Bonus Rewards on qualifying purchases.  

How to Get the Discount  

• Sign up for Rewards: Join the free Office Depot Rewards Program.
• Verify your Status: Use the ID.me tool on the Office Depot Teacher Discounts Page with your teaching license or school ID documentation.
• Check Your Email: Receive a one-time 20% off coupon after successful verification.
• In-Store Purchases: Bring your valid teacher ID, Rewards member number, and the applicable store coupon to the register  

Staples

Staples will give teachers a 20% discount on in-store purchases running through September 19, 2026. You must download the Staples App and present your teacher ID along with the in-app coupon at checkout. They also have a loyalty program that gives 5% back in rewards for in-store purchases and 2% for online purchases. Their Classroom Rewards program allows parents and other supporters to link their accounts to your name to donate a percentage of their shopping directly to your classroom account. Please note that these offers do not include technology items such as laptops, tablets, ink, toner, or gift cards.  

Michaels  

Michaels is the perfect place to get bulletin board supplies, classroom decorations, and craft materials. The store offers an everyday 15% discount on entire purchases (including sale items) both online and in-store. To use it, join their Rewards Program and complete the online educator verification. Certain things are excluded, such as clearance items, doorbusters, daily deals, and select craft machines.  

How to Get and Use the Discount  

• Sign Up: Log in to or create your Michaels Rewards Account.
• Verify Status: Submit your educator information online to link and sync your teacher status directly to your rewards account.  
• Apply Automatically: Once verified, the 15% discount applies automatically to eligible in-store and online purchases.  

The Container Store  

The Organized Teacher Discount Program has been discontinued, but they have transitioned to the Organized Insider loyalty program that is open to any customers who like a good deal.

Books – My Favorite Category!!  

ThriftBooks gives educators a free used book (up to $7 in value) with every purchase of 4 books through its ThriftBooks 4 Teachers program. If you’ve completed the SheerID verification process, you are all set.  

Half Price Books offers a year-round 10% Educator’s Discount Card for classroom use.  

Books-A-Million has a BAM Educator Card that offers teachers special bulk-shipping prices, custom quotes for classrooms, and ongoing 20% discounts on most purchases. You can request the card at the register of any store location; make sure you have your educator ID with you. You can also submit a form online. If you are shopping online, check out the homepage for online-only discounts. For more ways to save, visit their classroom directory.  

First Book Marketplace is a great place to go if your students come from low-income households (at least 70% of students qualify). First Book provides new books and resources at 50% to 90% off retail, plus access to its National Book Bank for free books (pay a nominal shipping fee).  

The Book Bundler is frequently recommended as a cost-effective way to buy pre-sorted, themed children and YA books.  

Technology Discounts

You could be eligible for education pricing on laptops, tablets, accessories, and software from several technology companies.

Apple: Apple offers special pricing through its Education Store, allowing teachers to save on Mac products, iPads, accessories, displays, and AppleCare+. During the back-to-school season, Apple coupons can provide additional gift card incentives.

Bose: Verify through ID.me to take 10% off headphones and speakers (up to $100 in savings). This pairs well with occasional Bose promo codes available on their website.

Dell: Teachers can save up to 10% on select laptops and devices through Dell’s Education Store. If you’re upgrading your setup, a Dell discount code might drop the price even further.

HP: HP offers educators special pricing on select items, with discounts up to 40%. It’s always worth checking for an HP coupon code before buying that new classroom printer.

Lenovo: Lenovo gives an extra 5% off sitewide for teachers and students with a valid .edu email address or ID.me verification. You can often combine this education pricing with Lenovo promo codes to build your ideal setup for less.

Microsoft Store: Purchase select Surface products at a discount once you confirm your teacher status. They also provide Office 365 Education for free, and you can find extra hardware deals on the Microsoft coupons page.

Samsung: After verifying your identity via ID.me or a .edu email address, teachers can save up to 30% on Samsung devices. Don’t forget to use a Samsung discount code at checkout for the best overall value.

Pro Tip: Before making any major purchase, ask, "Do you offer an educator discount?" You might be surprised how many businesses say yes!  

Free Classroom Resources  

Not every classroom upgrade has to cost money. Some of the best educational resources are completely free:  

Library of Congress Primary source collections

Smithsonian learning materials

Arlington National Cemetery educational resources

Google Arts & Culture virtual experiences

NASA STEM activities

Find many more sites on our STAcademy website!

Create a Classroom Wish List

Many families and community members are happy to help if you tell them what you need. Consider creating a classroom wish list of supplies and sharing it at the beginning of the year to give parents, local businesses, and community members an easy way to support your classroom. Amazon is a popular site for teacher wish lists.

To make an Amazon Wishlist

• Go to Amazon and sign in.
• Click Account & Lists at the top right.
• Select Create a List, then choose Wish List, or use the specialized Amazon Teacher Registry.
• Name your list clearly (e.g., Mr. Davis Classroom Wishlist), so parents and donors recognize it instantly.
• Click Create List.
• Managing Settings and Shipping
• Open the menu (three dots or More) on your list and select Manage List.
• Set privacy to Shared or Public, so people with the link can view it.
• Add your shipping address to your school so packages ship directly to your classroom safely.
• Fill out the description box with a short welcome note or grade-level details. Click Save Changes.

Adding Items and Sharing  

• Browse Amazon for books, tools, and supplies.
• On any product page, click Add to List on the right-side menu and pick your classroom list.
• Click the Send tab or Share to copy the link.  
• Share the link via school emails, open house handouts, or teacher communities.  

Whether you're finding the best deals on classroom supplies, discovering free teaching resources, or planning experiences that inspire curiosity, every thoughtful investment helps create a learning environment where students can thrive.

From all of us at School Tours of America, thank you for everything you do to inspire your students each and every day. Here's to a school year filled with big discoveries, meaningful memories, smart savings, and a whole lot of excitement as you plan your next STA adventure!

 

**Please check with individual retailers or service providers for specific terms and conditions. These offers are not endorsed or sponsored by School Tours of America.