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Teacher Discounts
updated: Jan 02, 2011, 9:45 AM

I was just wondering if there was a list of place in town that offer teacher discounts. If not, perhaps this question will start one.

Places People Are Talking About:

Apple Store	Borders	Craft Essentials
J Jill	Lazy Acres	Staples

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 132539	2011-01-02 09:51 AM
Borders has a program for teachers, they check your faculty id, and then give you a card. It gives 10% off purchases for your classroom (not personal enjoyment).
COMMENT 132551	2011-01-02 10:08 AM
Also, Craft Essentials used to, but I'm not 100% sure if they still do. But worth checking into.
WINTER	2011-01-02 10:15 AM
I think Lazy Acres might .
COMMENT 132576	2011-01-02 10:54 AM
Lazy Acres gives a 10% discount on Thursdays!
COMMENT 132577	2011-01-02 10:55 AM
Teachers as public employees get paid very well for their 9 month year along with paid health, very generous retirement benefits and multiple paid days off. Why should teachers also now get discounts when those in private sector jobs get far fewer benefits, much lower salaries and no job security. Time to get real about what public employees are actually getting paid. Plus why should they get discounts for classroom supplies when they demand and get every budget cycle "more money for the classrooms". Where has all that money really gone, if they still claim they have to buy their own classroom supplies out of their own pocket? Something is not adding up here.
COMMENT 132579P	2011-01-02 10:59 AM
132577, try being a teacher, come back and answer your own question there. Do you even know what a teacher's salary is? I don't think you do based on your attitude. Lots of companies, stores and restaurants give professional discounts, including to police and firemen. They get paid "well" too, so should we stop those too, or just teachers' discounts?
COMMENT 132589	2011-01-02 11:26 AM
Teachers far exceed most of the job salaries here in Santa Barbara. Teachers choose their profession- its not a sentence. Why indeed do they deserve disounts over the rest of us? The following statistics are from: teacherportal dot com Starting Salary: $35,760 Average Salary: $59,825 Student/Teacher Ratios in California, 2006 Number of Teachers: 300,223 Number of Students: 6,304,683 Students per Teacher: 21.0 California teacher salaries vs. total education expenditures Total Expenditures: $53,501,539,938 Teacher Expenditures: $17,294,045,692 Percent Spent on Teachers: 32%
COMMENT 132591P	2011-01-02 11:36 AM
Teacher discounts for what?
COMMENT 132592P	2011-01-02 11:36 AM
How about we stay on topic?
COMMENT 132600	2011-01-02 11:59 AM
I think Staples has a Staples Reward program. I have a 5th grader in the SBSD. THANK YOU TEACHERS!!!!!!!
COMMENT 132602	2011-01-02 12:03 PM
132577 I agree. Mom was a teacher. I benefitted from her insurance and generous time with her over vacations and summers. Teacher's unions have been demanding since then even higher pay and huge additional benefits. Their benefit packages and job security (not tied to performance) are unseen in the real work world (non governmental). They want even more discounts in the private sector robbing further the private citizens of money? Add too the quality of public education in the US today is dismal and shockingly ineffective. I've studied unions extensively. These simple facts have bore out: Governmental unions are robbers or citizens' monies as well as unAmerican as tied to our constitution and way of life. The USSR fell. Sadly one of its most virulent poisons eats away the United States core. Each day we weak from within because of governmental unions and their thuggish, selfish, me, me, me demands upon the U.S. taxpayers.
COMMENT 132607	2011-01-02 12:17 PM
Every election cycle, it is the same old thing. Put more money in the classroom. This is 1984 NewSpeak for put more money into teachers pockets and not spending money on Johnnie's crayons and classroom bulletin boards. Time to bust this shake-down hoax wide open. Plus teachers get a tax deduction for every dime they claim they spend out of pocket on class room supplies. Who is supposed to audit this tax deduction to ensure the teachers new Ipad was not really written off as a classroom enhancement aid? One more public employee rip-off. And these are the people teaching your children. Be careful what values they are passing on to our next generations. Fraud, deceit, entitlement and resentment against the sytem come to mind.
COMMENT 132611P	2011-01-02 12:32 PM
Easy teacher bashers! We get almost zero from our districts for supplies. Show me one teacher who doesn't spend from their own pocket for the classroom! Most districts don't even provide white board markers for instruction, nor overheard transparency film if you wish to use outdated technology. :-( Those work-related classroom tax deductions went out the window a few years ago, so do "do your homework!" As far as class sizes, the districts count ALL classrooms before the average is calculated. Hence, the special ed. teacher with, say 3 in their homeroom, and the Resource classroom with a few, all help to portray that average in unreal proportions. Regular ed. classrooms in public schools are sitting more like 28 - 35 students today. Like I said, do your homework. Lastly, I challenge any non-teacher to spend ONE FULL DAY in a regular ed. classroom at the public school of your choice, and then return to say how easy it is and how over paid we are! Go ahead - volunteer!
COMMENT 132617	2011-01-02 12:45 PM
J Jill in La Cumbre Plaza is one of my favorite places to shop. They have beutiful women's clothing. They offer 15% off to teachers everyday.
COMMENT 132623	2011-01-02 12:57 PM
The war on terrorism is robbing you out of house and home on a daily basis and you have the gall to complain about a drop in the bucket teacher's salaries? Don't you want teachers to have every resource available to do the best job? From everything that we've seen in the past couple of years, it is clear that the PRIVATE sector is stealing much more money from you than the teachers union could ever dream of. I never been part of a classroom with less than 30 students so I don't know where you are getting those statistics that say 21 students is the norm. Give me a break.
COMMENT 132626	2011-01-02 01:01 PM
I got a good chuckle at the poster that correlated the public school teacher with the a fire fighter or a fireman. The last two risk their life every single second on their job from beginning to end. Each day they go to work their loved ones hope and pray they come home. Fireman and Policemen risk their life often so we the general public (including teachers can live.) Since when have teachers risked their life each day they go to work. In my opinion the men and women of the military, firefighters, and policemen should receive a discount for everything as each new day they risk their lives for us all.
COMMENT 132632P	2011-01-02 01:37 PM
21 students in the average, public school, classroom is a pipe dream. Ask a few teachers that aren't teaching primary (K-3) classes.
COMMENT 132638P	2011-01-02 01:48 PM
Even though some merchants and stores offer a discount to Police, Fire and Teachers, I think you will find that very few take advantage of these offerings....why?...it's simply too embarrassing to ask for them. Knowing many of them personally, I can tell you they are dedicated professionals who would cringe at the thought of getting something for being "special". (even though they ARE in mho!)
COMMENT 132642	2011-01-02 02:21 PM
In the old days, teacher salaries were based on a yearly compensation, benefits were free, and supplies were a plenty. However, today....teachers are paid by the day, must pay for their health and dental insurance, and many contribute through their own finances to the students in their classrooms. Additonally, the retirement continues to be reduced (reduced social security benefits even though the teacher is fully vested). I know its easy to complain about teachers, but how about taking some time to learn about the real current situation. And as far as class size, over 30 is the norm in all junior high and its more in high schools. That means more than 150 darlings each and everyday.
COMMENT 132643	2011-01-02 02:29 PM
Oh and one more thing, there is no such thing as a paid vacation for teachers....it is simply unpaid time off. Obviously it is enjoyable to have the time off, however, teachers are not being paid for it. Teachers are paid for only the days they teach, and they must budget to cover the unpaid time off.
COMMENT 132660	2011-01-02 03:20 PM
Do nurses and doctors also get discounts? What of the social worker? What of those that care for the disabled, the elderly, the lonely, the plants and the pets? What of those? What of those that don't have unions that drain the taxpayer dollars? What is it about the ego of the 'teacher?' One would think they were Gandhi by some of the comments here. What of the Preacher or the Rabbi? What of the lay person that donates their time. Where are their discount cards?
COMMENT 132667	2011-01-02 03:37 PM
Hey.......how about a discount for a single dad with two jobs. I would take a 10% discount on my rent....that would be good. How about a 10% discount at the grocery store? Oh heck we might as well get crazy.......I taught my daughter and son stuff at home before they even went to school....so in essence I am a teacher.....hmmmm..... where can I get my discount?
COMMENT 132671	2011-01-02 03:42 PM
The discount that is being asked about is for materials that are used by students in the classroom. Im unaware of needed materials that firefighters, nurses, police officers, doctors, airline pilots, or city workers etc pay for out of their own pocket to do their jobs. The intent of the post seems to be, a teacher trying to find local businesses which offer an incentive (discount) for teachers to purchase the materials for their students which the district, state, and parents do not provide.
COMMENT 132709	2011-01-02 05:04 PM
Taxpayers keep getting dunned for more tax dollars to "put money into the classroom" and now you are telling me there is no money left to "put into the classroom"? Good. Now we can ignore that hollow plea and realize teacher unions are sucking all the money for themselves and their members. Best way I know to get more money it to stop paying your union dues. Now. Opt out and donate that money to the SB Education Foundation and then they can buy you your classroom supplies. Just do it and get your teacher friends to do it too. Because we are paying you the money. Teachers used to work during the summer - often at the casinos being dealers. Call the Chumash casino hot line this summer and don't waste all that time off when you can be making money for the entire year.
COMMENT 132718P	2011-01-02 05:54 PM
132626, it's your opinion that certain groups deserve a discount over others. I happen to believe that teachers do an incredibly important (and seemingly thankless) service. There's a lotta sour grapes on this thread, which is sad since it's all beyond the point of what was asked here.
COMMENT 132719P	2011-01-02 05:56 PM
Thanks, Joyful for all you kind input for teachers. You are right on in that we get zero dollars after teaching the 180th day, unless furloughed like many for the 2010-2011 school year, then it's less. Yes, there are usually two mandatory meeting days when the kids aren't in their seats, but after that, it's all gratis on our part. We all pay a huge part of our healthcare, unlike many City & County employees & most managers & CEO's. We see all our "customers" simultaneously, unlike doctors, lawyers, dentists, and most all other professionals with comparable education & training. Thanks, again. Go volunteer a full day at your public school, EdHat readers.
COMMENT 132725	2011-01-02 06:27 PM
FENRISBANE . . . I KNIGHT THEE WITH A 15% DISCOUNT!! You a teacher, a single father with two jobs! May the blessings of the heavens fall upon you dear.
COMMENT 132738	2011-01-02 07:31 PM
Public would show more gratitude towards teachers if student learning and global rankings were going up instead of constantly going down. Hard to feel thankful when results are so dismal and California teachers make more money than any other state while having some of the worst state rankings. Something is just not working in California public education. Gratitude has nothing to do with this when not properly earned.
COMMENT 132740P	2011-01-02 07:37 PM
Budget cuts have nothing to do with the quality of how a teacher teaches their students. And dismal results come from much more than just teachers doing their jobs. Look at the big picture please before you vilify the people trying their best to teach your children.
COMMENT 132768	2011-01-02 08:39 PM
COMMENT 132738 thank you for your post. Well written.
COMMENT 132780P	2011-01-02 09:21 PM
Unfortunately, the legislators in Sacramento, who know absolutely nothing about teaching kids, make the laws. It's the tail wagging the dog here. They leap to the drum of the lobbiests who represent the publishing houses and the cycle starts there. I'd love to see a legislator survive one full day attempting to teach in a CA public school, especially in grades 6 - 12! They'd never make it until happy hour or even their three martini lunch!
COMMENT 132795	2011-01-02 11:49 PM
How about a discount for teachers who have been shot at?
COMMENT 132891	2011-01-03 10:15 AM
A teacher who feels so constantly victimized listening to teacher unions who beat this message constantly in their heads is not someone you want in the classroom. They have lost their priorities and their ability to think independently. The classroom then only becomes a platform for their own victimization propaganda. Teachers who see their only value in terms of how much they are paid should not be teaching. Students suffer greatly when forced to spend time with resentful adults who should chose a better profession than shaking down taxpayers for more money so they can improve their own morale. These people do not belong in our public school classrooms any longer. Get rid of tenure and get rid of these attitude problem teachers.
COMMENT 132897P	2011-01-03 10:25 AM
The Apple Store on State St. gives teachers a small discount on computers and some software.
COMMENT 132901P	2011-01-03 10:32 AM
I've worked as a teacher and also in the private sector. Teaching was much, much harder. During the school year you brought piles of work home every night, were expected to supervise at games, performances, & other after school activities. Think how much fun it would be to read & grade150 student papers each night, and then write up the lesson plans for the next day. Teachers deserve medals & raises and small class sizes.
COMMENT 132950	2011-01-03 02:28 PM
I've worked private sector jobs that barely allowed me to go home with ZERO job security and hardly any if at all benefits. The paycheck often flimsy. I balanced those jobs with trying to look for or to interview for others (impossible.) What struck me about the previous commenter was the fact that the teacher was allowed (and in fact expected) to go home. Nice to have the option to work from home after one's day and job security, decent pay, expected raises, wonderful and predictable benefits, as well as three months off a year! In the private sector many do not even get a vacation. Certainly a week off is a BIG deal in the private sector for most! Teachers get to whine to one another. In other jobs whining or venting could get them fired. Teachers need not whine too loud with all the taxpayer benefits, time off, and job security. Ego here too seems inflated. They have time to whine AND brag. Now THAT is a special job.
COMMENT 132982	2011-01-03 03:57 PM
Bravo 132950. Well said. When I read 132901P's post, I thought; "Sure but that's because you chose a profession where your full-time job is shoved into 9 months out of 12 with the other 3 off. Rest then - or choose another profession." In the early 80s I was in 4th grade and struggling with math. My teacher tutored me in his home. I have no idea if my parents paid him (I'm sure they at least offered), and I can't remember if it was during weekends or after school. He taught me to finally comprehend long division, not fear math, and to trust that teachers can also be friends (not just disciplinarians). He was strict in class but sweet at his home while tutoring me. I remember baking cookies with him. It was a great experience for me and he was a wonderful man. Mr. Walker, Ellwood Elementary.
COMMENT 133210	2011-01-04 11:49 AM
21 students per class. No way. Who is perpetrating this lie. I have substituted for 5 years and the average is more like 30. Today I had 37 in a class without enough desks.
COMMENT 133239	2011-01-04 01:19 PM
So the original post was a simple request for a listing of stores that offer teacher discounts. This quickly deteriorated to teacher bashing and the subsequent justifications. Seems to me, instead of being jealous and stingy about someone's job and comparing it to other sectors, perhaps the social issues should be how do we get the other sectors to offer a wage that people can actually live on, instead of barely surviving. I'm glad I don't judge the heart of Santa Barbara by what I read here, otherwise I'd be inclined to believe the town is pretty on the outside, but mean spirited and ugly on the inside.