Tensions in teaching balanced controversial history: Competing voices within a student teacher in Northern Ireland

Abstract

History education that deals with the controversial and sensitive past is a vehicle for peacemaking in conflict-affected societies. However, its success is dependent on teachers taking risks to challenge entrenched ‘us versus them’ views of history. How does a student teacher in Northern Ireland grapple with risk-taking when learning to teach controversial history? What tensions are involved in bringing a different perspective into the classroom that challenges identity-based understandings and emotions? This paper analyses interview data from a study on the preparation of preservice teachers for teaching controversial issues. It uses dialogical self theory to examine competing voices that animate a student teacher's practice and reveal how her interpretation of pedagogical lessons from university coursework and professional norms bump up against her identity, family loyalty and related emotions. Her conflict brings into relief tensions of learning to teach controversial history in divided societies.