This paper describes the experiences of several individuals involved in the initial stages of orchestrating a school-university partnership. A group of elementary teachers, a student teacher, a cooperating teacher, a university faculty member, and a coordinator of school-university partnerships participated in the experience and shared their views on the partnership. The participants reported that the partnership was an opportunity for personal growth within the context of improving their classroom instruction. Open, honest communication among participants was a recurring theme, and participants noted that the process of developing mutual goals and shared decision making was crucial. School teachers confirmed that having access to university personnel was an advantage of the collaborative effort. Time and attitude (having an unteachable spirit) were seen as potential barriers to collaboration. An appendix presents a preliminary planning document from the partnership. (Contains 19 references.) (SM)