The West Genesee/Syracuse University Teaching Center consists of a three-person staff coordinating supervision of students, organization of staff development programs, and instructional and leadership responsibilities. Financial support is divided between the University and the school district. Tuition credits are offered by the University to the district in exchange for aid in field-based programs; the financial liability incurred from these credit grants is offset by monies from out-of-center, tuition-paying registrants. In addition to a wide range of successfully completed and on-going projects, the Center has sparked a great deal of pride among participants, as well as improved teachers' knowledge of what they as individuals can do to improve their own, and the profession's, standing. Two major tasks facing the Center are: (1) the problem of the gap between theory and practice in preservice education and the narrowing of that gap; and (2) building the district's long-term staff development program. (MJB)