Although the call for increased clinical experiences is clear and the influence of clinical preparation is recognized as the most influential portion of teacher preparation programs, more attention is being directed at investigating the role of cooperating teachers in the transformation of clinical practices. This study focused on how cooperating teachers understand their role and how this internalized conceptualization influenced the cooperating teachers' externalized practices within a teacher preparation program. The results point toward a need to develop learning partnerships to extend mentoring practices beyond the practical aspects of learning to teach toward collaborative inquiry across the mentoring system that is in alignment with broader teacher preparation outcomes.