Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the preservice educational narratives of Black English teachers in an effort to determine their experiences within teacher education programs with assigned white cooperating teachers. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing upon Black storytelling, testimony and breath in narrative analysis, this study showcases how Black preservice teachers navigated regularized surveillance and abandonment as part of student teaching practicum. Findings: The authors argue that, in response to their treatment, these Black preservice teachers created resistance strategies as a way to fill the mentorship void and sustain their own future teaching careers. Originality/value: The literature on Black preservice teachers does the critical work of examining how they experience their racial, linguistic and gendered identities in the classroom; however, this study focuses on their experiences with white cooperating teachers -- an underresearched area in the past 10 years.