This research paper from Teaching and Teacher Education investigates the use of mixed-reality simulations in introductory teaching courses to prepare future teachers. The authors explore how candidates respond to a challenging simulation involving classroom management and whether these experiences influenced their perceptions of and interest in the teaching profession. The study finds that the students consider the simulation to be a valuable learning experience; those with less teaching experience gained more insight into the realities of teaching and their more experienced counterparts acquired more skill development. All of these findings indicate that simulations can be useful virtual experience learning opportunities for those enrolled in introductory education courses. This resource could be helpful to educator preparation programs looking to incorporate mixed-reality simulations to improve the learning experiences and skill development of future educators.