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It wasn't until Lakota West junior Danielle Hirschfeld was forced to spend nearly five months recovering from surgery in Shriner's Hospital that she discovered her true passion — teaching.

As younger patients began visiting her room on a regular basis to talk or get help with crafts, she said she saw she was making a difference in their lives.

"I became a role model at that hospital, and it was a role I never wanted to let go," Hirschfeld wrote in an essay.

That essay will be judged next week during the National Future Educators Association conference in San Diego. Teacher Academy students from both East and West high schools will be attending the conference to compete in various categories and to present special workshops on educational themes.

Lakota West students will present a workshop on educational games in the classroom, and East students will speak about brain research and how to stay rejuvenated as a teacher.

Both groups of students have created multi-media scrapbooks and T-shirt designs and have developed plans to win awards at the competition.

Students from East also will be taking their presentation to the international conference in Germany as the first U.S. school to represent the organization.

Each of these trips will be paid for by Butler Tech.

Teacher Chrissy Lauterback said these trips are only a fraction of the reason students enroll in her two-year teaching class. She said while in class and in the field, students learn everything they will learn in college and more. She polls her students after they graduate to see if they found any of their preparation lacking. Then she said she adds that feedback into her curriculum.

She said it is normal for her to get some out of the ordinary phone calls from past students. Once a student teacher had to help a child get his head unstuck from the monkey bars.

"Mrs. L, did I do it right?" the student wanted to know, she said.

Those are the types of experiences students share with one another in class.

"We're like a family," said Michelle DeBrosse, 18. "I just feel so a part of everybody."

Students in Dauna Easley's class share the same sentiments.

"It's just amazing what an opportunity it is," said West senior Chelsea Cook.

Cook and her classmates recently gave a special presentation to West teachers. With creative speeches and presentations, the students thanked teachers individually for their inspiration. Former students submitted their thoughts via e-mail with the theme, "Do you remember us? Because we remember you."

"Even the basketball coach was crying at the end of it," Cook said.

A Lakota West science instructor wrote to Easley about the academy.

"I believe Teacher Academy is a beautiful thing," she stated. "How appropriate to have young students, inspired by the teachers around them, explore the world of teaching. Teachers are special people and it's nice to see the fire being lit in this building."

East Senior Sarah Keller said she stays busy when she student teaches or observes in Lakota classrooms.

"You feel like a real teacher," she said.

The following students were selected to attend the National Future Teachers Association Conference:

West students:

West juniors: Kayle Agoston, Kelli Cox, Kaitlyn Gruber, Danielle Hirschfeld, Erin Hunkemoeller, Tabitha Rogala; West seniors: Cheslea Cook, Rachael Crabtree, Maria Frommeyer, Allyson Gerhardstein, Sarah Jones, Jessica King, Leslie Klein

East Students: Martina Bell, Jessica Lang, Maria Campisi, Eileen Heaney, Tara Terndrup, Lindsey Wilson, Stephany McMillan

Emily Gehrs,Bethany Dibble,Emily Robbins,Ashleigh Webber, Caitlin Sizemore, Megan Miller, Staccey Rogers, Rachel Crone

Sarah Keller, Michelle DeBrosse,Amy Miller, Shelly gruesser

Britnee Mosher, Gabby Chambers, Marissa Mendez

Here is what West students had to say about their program:

"The class is close-knit and dedicated to success. It will help get a jump start on college." Erin Hunkemoeller, 16.

"I love teacher's academy, because it's a wonderful environment and you have 12 best griends and you always have fun and learn things for now and later in life." Charity Yoar, 17.

"What I learned in Teacher Academy is how to become a great teacher. What I like best in Teacher Academy is all the different personalities in this class." Mike Baur, 17

"Everything I learn, I'll need later in life." Kelli Cox, 16

"Everyone in this class is so friendly. We all become really close. It's helped me make a lot of new friends after moving this year."Kristen Reel, 17

"I learned that there are different types of learners in the world." Kayla Agoston, 16.

"What we learn – Praxis Domains." Renee Fredwest, 16

"I look forward to school every morning because of teachers academy." Kaitlyn Gruber,16

"I like how small the class is and how many opportunities we have to stand in front of our peers." Hannah Crabtree, 16

"I've learned how to be a teacher that can help all different students with different needs." Tabitha Rogala, 16