CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A popular West Charlotte High School teacher died unexpectedly early Thursday, and school officials believe the distress of the situation is what sent two students to the hospital.

Rosina Izzard had taught exceptional children at the school since 2001. She was also a cheerleading coach.

MEDIC responded to the school after students began having problems handling the stress. They treated two students at the scene and transported two to Carolinas Medical Center. Their injuries are not serious.

Counselors are now at the school to help students deal with their grief.

Chastity Gray and Christopher Kellog said they both knew the teacher, and Kellog said he and many others will miss her.

"My best friend -- she was crying. A whole bunch of people were crying today. It was a very sad day," he said.

Gray said just like the recent murder of a popular football player did, Izzard's unexpected death will only bring students and staff at West Charlotte High that much closer.

"You know people always talk a lot of negative stuff about West Charlotte. I can honestly say she was one of the teachers that actually cared," she said.

School district officials would not say how Izzard died.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools called people in the neighborhood to let them know why the fire trucks and ambulances were at the school. Parents of students at the school also received a recorded message telling them what happened.