the young teacher's 'self-identification' [='identification'] with his students
He needed to show (his) 'identification' before they would cash the check.
They had/felt a (strong) sense of 'identification with' their neighbors.
(..) l'll pay of course. - And l need... l need morphine. - May l see your papers, Sir? What? lf l could just see some form of identification. l'rmm ssssoorrrryyyn, l'rmm nnoott rmmaaamkkkinng sssmeeeunnsssmeeeu. FoorrgiwrAeeeu rmmeeeu, l... l'rmm nnoott... l've been walking and... Cave of Swimmers. (..)1996 The English Patient