Two Days Inside A Classroom For Young Offenders looks into a facility for youths in trouble and a beloved teacher there, Lisa Elder. While other teachers struggle with getting the students to do their work, Elder doesn't have any trouble connecting with her students. Multiple of her students (even though she only has a few) mention that they enjoy going to her class and that they want to do well on the work she assigns them because she doesn't judge them and cares about them.
Thomas Whaley in One Teacher's Quest to Build Language Skills ... And Self-Confidence has his students write Presidential Speeches to give to the rest of the class (many of whom are English Language Learners) in order to grow speaking skills and self-confidence. He is an ally to ELL students because he prioritizes their education, but also attempts to shape their character and build their self-esteem.
Teacher Rodney Carey is highlighted in From Bail Bondsman to Teacher. Carey works for The Youth Empowerment Project, a place where young people can work towards their high school equivalency. Students see him as an ally because he has been in similar situations as them, encourages them to reach out to him for whatever they need, and is vulnerable and shares his own story with them.
After reading about some teacher allies from NPR’s 50 Great Teachers series, I feel like I have a greater grasp on what it means to be an ally to your students. First and foremost, students consider a teacher to be an ally if they noticeable care. While all teachers have some note of ally within themselves, I feel like it is a little two-sided. If students don't want the help from that teacher, there isn't much that the teacher can do. If they are passionate, understanding, and vulnerable, students know that is the teacher that they can turn to.