An out-of-the-box idea is having big success.

Jenny Dermody’s Bowman High School math students have a unique way of measuring their classroom success: stuffed animals.

The once immensely popular beanie babies and other stuffed animals have become bargain items at garage sales, and Dermody has begun to purchase a collection in order to help motivate her students.

Upon reaching preset milestones in her math class, students are rewarded with their choice of stuffed animal from the collection.

According to the District, the cotton-stuffed rewards have become a symbol of achievement for the students, and they have started to show off the fruits of their labor.

“It’s like a badge of honor for them,” said Pat Willett, public information officer for the William S. Hart District. “[Dermody] thought it was wonderful that they were responding that way, and we do too.”

The District even reports that Dermody has taken on additional students in her early morning classes, likely stemming from the popularity of her programs.

To read more stories like this from around the Hart District, check out the latest edition of What’s Good In Education.