This article provides a critique of the essentialized assumptions about identity, culture and education that are found in contemporary peace education literature. Furthermore, it explores the implications that these assumptions have for teacher education in conflict and post-conflict societies. A major challenge for teacher education in conflict and post-conflict societies is how to create openings that take these complexities into consideration and create openings which address the limitations imposed by the nation-state. Finally, the authors propose the idea of teachers becoming critical design experts, in order to create openings for a renewed relationship between teacher education and peace education.