Using a social justice orientation to teacher education and a sociocultural approach to learning, this exploratory study presents data from twenty pre-service urban teachers about their perceptions of and visions for teaching in urban schools. Findings reveal candidates' desires to care for and build relationships with urban youth as a foundation for their interests in teaching and also portray participants' visions of teaching as a way to promote positive social change in their communities. Findings are discussed in the context of future directions for urban teacher education. (Contains 1 table.)