Teacher leaving book: the class says thank you
A teacher leaving book is a printed keepsake book in which every child in the class gets their own double-page spread with two photos and their answers. The questions are all about her: what the children learned from her, what they laughed about together, what they wish her. The teacher gets the book, and every child can have the same book too. A book costs €24.90 including design, printing and shipping. Printing starts after the last answers and payments, and the books reach you 5 to 7 working days later.
The book, the questionnaire and our WhatsApp support are in German. Other languages and shipping to other countries on request.
What does the class write in a teacher leaving book?
Every double-page spread belongs to one child, with two photos, their name, signature and four short details with icons. The questions can be adapted and are about the teacher, for example:
- Her favourite saying
- What I can do since she came
- What made her laugh
- What I learned from her
- A moment with her I like to remember
- What I wish her for the time after she leaves
The parents fill in the questionnaire together with their child. Photos and answers are only used for the book; there is more under Children's photos and data protection.
Class photo, awards and pages for her colleagues
The whole class is on the cover: the children's photos are cut out and arranged into one cover picture, on a background you choose. Inside you also get the class photo, awards among the children such as “Asks the best questions”, a double-page spread for special moments such as forest week, and two spreads for signatures and messages. Colleagues, the head teacher or parents can write in at least 4 blank spreads with a ballpoint pen. The cover carries your title, for example “Danke, Frau Muster”.
How do you design the leaving book?
You choose the title, the questions and the background of the cover picture; Flashbooks designs and prints the book. To keep it a surprise, share the link only in the class parents' group chat, not in a chat the teacher can read. The overview of who is still missing goes only to the contact person.
- Sending an enquiry takes 2 minutes. Then the link arrives on WhatsApp.
- You share the link in the class parents' group chat. Each family answers the questions in about 5 minutes and uploads two photos. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the overview of who is still missing arrives on WhatsApp.
- Once all the answers are in and all the books are paid for, we design and print. The books reach you 5 to 7 working days later.
When is a teacher leaving book a good fit?
The teacher leaves, the class stays. Whether the class teacher is retiring, moving to another school or going on parental leave, the children give her a keepsake book of their time together.
The class leaves, the teacher stays. Usually after the fourth year, everyone says goodbye at the same time. Then the primary school leavers' book is often the better fit, with the class teacher getting her own double-page spread. If thanking her should be the focus, go for the leaving book.
For a male teacher and others. The book works just the same for a male teacher, a trainee teacher, a teaching assistant or the carer at the after-school club. You adapt the questions and pronouns.
What to check before giving the gift
Whether there are value limits for gifts to teachers is decided in Germany by each federal state (Bundesland), and Austria has its own rules. If in doubt, ask the head teacher before you order. More ideas and tips are in the guide Teacher leaving gift. This is not legal advice.
How much does a teacher leaving book cost?
The leaving book is a shared book: the teacher gets one, and every child in it can have their own copy. The minimum order is 10 books; for anything else, just ask in your enquiry. Design, printing and shipping to Germany and Austria are included in the price per book.
- 1 to 2 classes
- €24.90
- from 3 classes
- €22.90
- from 5 classes
- €19.90
If she has taught several classes, each class can make its own book, and with 3 or more classes in one order the price goes down. Each family pays by payment link, or one person pays for everyone by invoice (14 days). Because every book is designed individually, orders cannot be cancelled.
Frequently asked questions about the teacher leaving book
Does every child get a book as well?
If their family orders one, yes, and it is the same book the teacher gets. Not every family has to buy one for their child to be in the book.
Can we order just one book for the teacher?
The minimum order is 10 books. The teacher gets one, and the others go to the families who would like one. For other quantities, just ask in your enquiry.
Can her colleagues write in it too?
Yes. That is what the blank double-page spreads are for: at least 4, which you can write in with a ballpoint pen. Pass the book round the staff room, for example, once it has arrived.
How early should we start on the leaving book?
Work backwards from the leaving day. The books arrive 5 to 7 working days after the last answers and payments, and there is no fixed delivery date. So allow enough time for every family to answer.
Is this something like a Freundebuch for the teacher?
Something like that: a Freundebuch (the German book in which friends each fill in a page) from her pupils. Instead of each child only introducing themselves, they write on their spread what connects them with her. It works just the same for a male teacher.
Does this work for a nursery teacher too?
Yes. For goodbyes at nursery there is the nursery leavers' book, with questions that suit younger children.
You might also like
- Teacher leaving gift
Ideas from the class, from primary school to the tenth year.
- Primary school leavers' book
The whole class's book for the end of the fourth year.
- Primary school leavers' gifts
Ideas for the end of the fourth year.
- End-of-school-year gifts
Small thank-yous for the last day of school.
- Leaving book for a colleague
When the staff say goodbye with a book of their own.