COEUR d'ALENE - In a classroom outfitted with iMacs and a professional-level oversized printer, students in Dan Armstrong's media productions and computer graphics class at Lake City High School are accessing the latest industry software and learning practical skills that may lead to a future career.

A stark contrast to what the classroom looked like four years ago.

Not only have the tools and technology changed but so has the teaching style.

Armstrong, now into his fourth year of teaching at Lake City High, has revamped the school's graphic design program, energized students to take ownership of their class and the multimedia student T-Wolf Productions is now part of the school's culture.

Providing the right tools for students to learn was Armstrong's number one priority.

"I wanted to give students exposure to career opportunities and needed to update classroom technology so students had access to Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign - a professional level suite of programs that sets the standard for the world of graphic design," Armstrong said.

He equipped his classroom through grant money and finding creative ways to stretch professional-technical education dollars.

He also, from his first day teaching, pushed his students to think big.

"It's up to my kids what success they want to reach for and how to get things done," he said. "We needed a high-quality printer so I gave my students a grant-writing for dummies book and my students wrote and helped secure a $6,000 grant from Qwest to purchase an oversized printer for our classroom."

Armstrong shared his classroom's metamorphosis and success earlier this month when he presented to teachers at a professional-technical educator summit in Texas. He received an outstanding performer award for K-12 education worldwide from Adobe Education. Adobe is the company that makes the creative suite of software Armstrong teaches and is the industry leader of desktop publishing and graphic design software.

Armstrong is one of 150 educators across the globe who participates in sharing how the Adobe software can change the way design is taught at the high school level. Former student Ryan Maskell calls Armstrong a "pioneer," pushing the limits on what is possible within the confines of a classroom.

While at the educator summit, Armstrong piloted teaching his class from afar by having his students participate in his presentations via a live Internet feed. He took his students on a virtual field trip of the exhibit hall using his iPhone, meeting industry experts and had his students pose real-time questions from their classroom. The student response - "way cool!"

Armstrong told the audience in Texas, "I am helping get the right tools into our students' hands to help them develop the design, illustration, and composition skills they will need out in the workforce."

It doesn't get more real world than this as Armstrong explained how his students are learning how to manage their time, delivery projects on deadline, and hold themselves accountable for the quality of work they produce.

Ashley Chaffin, a former student now studying graphic design at North Idaho College, agrees with Armstrong's real-world teaching style.

"Mr. Armstrong is an incredible teacher who makes learning the material exciting; I wouldn't be where I am today without his guidance in high school," Chaffin said.

The portfolio of work students are compiling while enrolled in the graphics Career and Technology Education (CTE) program at Lake City High School is giving them a head start on college and building a stronger resume for employers to see.

Armstrong has developed a partnership with NIC where students may opt for college level credits for coursework in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.

Armstrong takes his passion for student achievement beyond his classroom by serving as the Business Professionals of America (BPA) advisor for the Lake City High School student chapter of the national association. The integrated curriculum in Armstrong's classroom has helped students produce award-winning multimedia projects at state and national BPA competitions. Highly noted by judges and peers are the students' technical aptitudes. Dan credits the awards to both his students' creativity and their access to the software tools that most high school programs do not utilize.

"The craftsman is as only good as his tools - and I want my students to have the best tools possible," Armstrong said.

When asked about his students, Dan boasts about their success like a proud father.

Graduates have gone on to excel in graphic arts programs at NIC and Gonzaga University while others have taken professional jobs with Apple and other tech-centric companies.

His 'can do' spirit is contagious.

"In my classroom, we try to make ideas that seem impossible, possible," Armstrong said. "I refuse to be behind. I teach this idea to my kids. It's what makes us unique; everyday in my class is what everyone else calls someday."