In this article the authors develop and implement a collaborative model of action research. An academic and a teacher collaborate with the purpose of improving the teaching practice and the teaching abilities of the teacher in mixed ability classes, and the collaborative ability of both academic and teacher. After a year of collaboration certain themes, related to the improvement of the teacher's practice arose. Specifically, the teacher developed a larger repertoire of teaching techniques and began to develop collaborations with other teachers and "outsiders". She also developed techniques for investigating her practice, and was better prepared for her lessons. Generally, in her classroom, more authentic relationships were developed.