OMS Ticket Store Fosters Creativity while Teaching Life Skills

If you walk into Alexis Ennis’ classroom at Ozark Middle School, you never know what you might see. Students may be bedazzling monogram stickers, creating something on the 3-D printer, making friendship bracelets or crocheting. It’s all part of the business technology class and it’s creating a buzz all over the school. 

“Our first viral Ticket Store creation was The Rock’s head on a Croc charm,” Ennis said. “I just loved hearing the other kids talk about it when they put up the ads for that around the school.  Silly things, like the Oreo Croc charm, really sparks a joy in the school.”

The Ticket Store was originally designed to help improve student behavior in the classroom. Students earn tickets for being kind, respectful and responsible. Tickets can then be redeemed for snacks, candy, Ozark Tiger gear, and, this year, student-made creations like Croc charms from the 3-D printer. 

Ennis said she’s always been a big supporter of the school’s ticket system and store. However, she wanted to make it more student focused, which led to the idea of students using their creativity to make items for the store.

“This year I really wanted to expand it and include the business class,” she said. “I have a lot of crafts on hand, we have a 3-D printer. They can create, set the price, and they receive 20 percent of their profit.

Students are learning about budgeting, supply and demand, advertising and marketing — all while fostering creativity. 

“I enjoy seeing what others create. Some people have ideas that I would never think of,” OMS student Alivia Mowris said. “It’s really cool to see what other students create, and it’s fun to share what you create as well.”

OMS Principal Eric Russell said the Ticket Store helps reinforce and recognize the Portrait of a Graduate words that students learn about each month. 

“We really celebrate our students each month through our Portrait of a Graduate process and our student of the month assemblies, but our Ticket Store rewards those same traits and recognizes our students for those same skills,” he said.

Russell said he’s excited to see the Ticket Store have a positive impact on students, and he’s looking forward to seeing what students create in the future.

“Kids want to come to the ticket store every day during lunch. So it’s created a buzz and excitement that kids want to be a part of,” he said.