I have a problem about China work visa and need help!

Ok, so I came to China two years ago to teach English, I have a degree in teaching English and a certificate to teach English as a second language. I came to China right out of college to work at a elementary school. This school has been giving me a student visa to work on and I didn't think anything of it maybe its probably because I didn't do enough research about visas. But now I want to go work at this really nice school here in china who is trying to apply for a work visa for me, but in order to get the work visa I need to prove that I have been working in china for 2 years, the school that I want to go to knows that I have been working on a student visa and told me it was illegal. But I had no idea it was illegal! I just thought it was cool that I could work and study Chinese at the same time! can I still show them that I have been working for 2 years on a student visa to get that work visa or would that not work????? please help!!! I really don't know what to do!!!!