Office Depot celebrates teachers with their Star Teachers Program.
It always makes me CRAZY when someone makes remarks about teachers and how they get paid plenty, “You know… they DO get THREE MONTHS off.”
As a former teacher, it is all I can do not to take those folks by the ear and walk them straight to the principal’s office.
Though it has been many years since I have had my own classroom, I know the job description hasn’t changed much. In fact, I believe the job has become harder. Much harder.
That is why I programs like Office Depot’s Star Teacher Program is great to hear about. This program recognizes the challenges teachers face:
- The average teacher spends $1000 each year on essential classroom supplies.
- 92% of teachers report spending their own money on classroom supplies
- Total out-of-pocket amount spent nationally by teachers on classroom supplies each year: $1.3 BILLION
My first year of teaching I spent $1,500 out of my own pocket. And that was back in 1995, so…
- Through Teacher Appreciation Events: Beginning late summer, Office Depot will host an annual, complimentary Teacher Appreciation Breakfast to kick off eight days of teacher shopping advantages.
- Teacher Rewards Program: Members receive personalized promotions on products or services that are relevant to them, access to special in-store events and exclusive pre-sale offers on new products, allowing educators to choose how they get rewarded.
- 5% Back to Schools Program: To help teachers, parents and schools earn free supplies and alleviate out-of-pocket expenses, every School Supplies Checklist that a teacher creates links to their corresponding school code so that shoppers who use their teacher’s list can help their schools get 5% back for free supplies.
We all have to work hard to make our dollar stretch further, and it takes planning to spend wisely. With Office Depot’s programs, it’s not just the consumer-at-large that gets to benefit. Office Depot is creating very specific ways for teachers and schools to benefit from spending… spending that is going to happen whether we know about these programs or not. This post is for the teachers that didn’t know this program exists. This post is for the families shopping for school supplies. We can make our dollars go further, and I don’t know many people who don’t want to see their money work as hard as it can.
If you are or know a teacher, follow this link here to find out where your local Teacher Appreciation Breakfast is being held. Teachers will receive:
- Free breakfast on Saturday to kick off the week
- Special gift with $10 purchase
- 20% instant discount on qualifying items
- 30 points on every $1 spent on products from event’s sponsors (typical rewards are 10 points/$1)
And for the families… y’all can sign up for the Office Depot Rewards program here. Teachers can sign up for the Star Teacher Program here.
Disclosure: I am participating in the #ODRewards campaign sponsored by Office Depot. For more information, about Office Depot Rewards, visit their website.
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