This article was developed from an earlier invitation to discuss what it was like to teach at a comprehensive arts and science college with a large teacher education program while also trying to conduct and publish applied research. Were there any particular tricks to getting things done that could be handed down to younger professionals working in similar circumstances? Any words of wisdom to pass along that might mitigate the challenges of not having enough time or at least make professional writing and manuscript rejection easier? Perhaps, but that would require someone of greater intellect and stature than the authors have. What the authors can share, however, are some important lessons they have learned while developing an applied research agenda in special education teacher education. The lessons reflect experiences the authors found helpful in navigating the higher education waters for the past three plus decades.