Textedit problems. Help needed.

I have just purchased my first apple. It is a powerbook g4 with leapord.
My problem is that I have school projects that need to be done in text edit(apples version of notepad if im correct) I write what i need to write in the program and save it onto my computer. Then upload these saved files into a drop box that is located on my schools website(angel program). But when my professors try to open it. It says no files submited, even though i have submited them. I know it has to do with my apple because when I use microsoft notepad, the files will submit and can be opened. my whole school uses microsoft. Is there something I can do to fix this?