Due to the teacher shortage, school divisions and educator preparation programs are working collaboratively to provide alternative routes for student teaching to meet licensure requirements (Donitsa-Schmidt & Zuzovsky, 2014; Flynt & Morton, 2009; National Research Council, 2010). This qualitative case study explored the strengths and challenges of alternative elementary student teaching as the teacher of record. A purposive sampling of elementary student teachers of record (n = 9) was selected for this case study at a small, private, liberal arts college. Data were collected through semi-structured interviewers and analyzed to find, refine, and confirm codes and the four themes: mentoring, school climate, structure, and autonomy as supports and challenges. Student teachers of record encountered many challenges such as delayed feedback, weak classroom management, low confidence, unclear expectations or the lack of modeling, and unsupportive faculty and administration. Educator preparation programs must design pathways and partnerships for student teachers that will prepare them for their future careers.