Interview A Life of Perseverance and Learning: From a rural village in Ethiopia…
June 14, 2025
Aster Bato Mohamed was born in Aira, a small village in Wollega in the 40s. She received an education through German missionaries who had established a school in the area.
There, as a small child, she tended her family’s cattle and attended classes. With a thirst for education and a fearless spirit, Aster embarked on an educational and personal journey that took her to Addis Ababa, Germany, and finally to the United States.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts at Augsburg College, and then Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Aster settled in Miami, Florida, and began a long career as an educator and community leader, as well as becoming a wife and mother.
More recently, she published a memoir—The Joy of Walking by Faith—highlighting her experiences as an educator.
A Synopsis of the book now on Amazon reads: Born in a remote Ethiopian village and raised among ancient traditions, Aster’s path to a new life was anything but easy. The Joy of Walking by Faith is a powerful memoir of courage, resilience, and the unshakeable belief that faith can turn even the most insurmountable obstacles into stepping stones. From tending cattle barefoot as a young girl to navigating the harrowing practice of female circumcision, Aster’s story is a testament to the human spirit and divine providence.
Guided by the unwavering support of her eldest brother and her own steadfast faith, Aster embarks on a remarkable journey—earning an education, immigrating to the United States, and becoming an acclaimed educator and community leader. Along the way, she battles cultural expectations, personal heartbreaks, and societal barriers, each time emerging stronger and more determined to fulfill the promise of her name: to find favor with God and man.
Both an inspiring immigrant narrative and a celebration of perseverance, The Joy of Walking by Faith … will uplift anyone who has ever dared to dream beyond their circumstances. Start your journey today—discover the power of walking by faith.
The Reporter’s Addis Getachew caught up with Aster to hear more.EXCERPTS:
The Reporter: What made you decide to write an autobiography now?
Aster Bato Mohamed: I believe that there is no right or wrong time to write an autobiography, to leave a legacy for my children, grandchildren and my other extended family. My story is a legacy for and tribute to our eldest brother who raised his siblings and also became a model of my faith to this day.
Too many people, especially women, in Ethiopia do not get the opportunity to choose their own path. What do you say about this?
I believe that many people who live in big cities and towns have someone to look up to, and having a role model is important because it allows women to see the possibilities of what their life can be. I think it is especially true for women who have completed at least elementary education and attended high school. I believe education equals opportunity. In my case, I looked up to the female German director of [our] school for grades one through eight. There were only three girls in the preceding grades; unfortunately, they didn’t pass the national eighth-grade examination to enter high school due to house and farm work. I must admit that I didn’t have home or farm work obligations as the youngest child. I was not a bookworm either; I knitted, and embroidered which I enjoyed, and babysat missionary children. When I was at school, I enjoyed learning, and that opened up possibilities for me.
What do you see as the first kernel of inspiration that drove you to go great lengths as an educator?
First, my eldest brother is the only first-grade teacher with a first-grade education. He knew how to teach the bible and the Ethiopian alphabet. Every student is a product of his first-grade class, and many of my brother’s students still remember him as a strict and loving teacher. Secondly, my scholarship to the US was to study playing the organ for one year. Unbeknownst to me, my scholarship was extended for another year in collaboration with the church in Ethiopia and the college in the US that granted me the scholarship. It was during my second year that I took a child care course, which led to my admiration and interest in teaching young children, and I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Within a year, I earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration. I wanted to be the director of a school like my former elementary school director, who was my role model.
What comparisons could you please draw between education systems in the US and Ethiopia?
My master’s degree research in educational administration in 1974 was comparing the two countries’ educational systems. In Ethiopia, teachers have the least training to teach at the elementary school level. Whereas, in the United States, the teachers who teach elementary school students are highly educated. An educator needs to know about the psychological and mental development of a child to provide the proper way of instruction. In both countries, there are end-of-grade proficiency assessments. In Ethiopia, students were retained if they did not pass the test as many times as needed. Eventually, those who repeated grades dropped out, without assessing the underlying cause of the students’ failure.
In the US, those who don’t pass the end-of-the-year test are evaluated for the underlying causes and provided specialized instruction by trained educators in the field. Eventually, students gain what they need without repeating grades and are promoted to the next grade level.
In addition to classroom instruction, parental involvement in their children’s education is my passion. As an educator in my school, I was involved in my own children’s and grandchildren’s education through the parents’ organization, advocating for my school as well as for the county at large. I am grateful for the last six years of employment at the fourth-largest school system in the country. I was a parent educator, guiding parents on how to assist their children in their education. This is the most rewarding experience of my teaching career.
In 2001, I was invited along with hundreds of other US delegation members to travel to the Republic of China to compare their educational system with the United States as it related to teacher training and recognition.
What opportunities do you see for the development of education in Ethiopia and what lessons can Ethiopia draw from the experiences where you are?
I recently read that Ethiopia’s education system has progressed tremendously by making compulsory education in the primary grades. However, I am not sure if this applies to all remote villages. I also read that Ethiopia has begun incorporating pre-primary education for the youngest children. This foundation determines their future success in life because the children are exposed to learning at an early age. Those who didn’t pass the eighth or twelfth grades need vocational/career education to meet students’ talents or desires. In my county, these opportunities have grown tremendously, and I can see the results. Parents enjoy the success of their children, and students reap their achievements.
Who do you mean to be your readership, and how do you see your book inspiring a generation of up-and-coming educators and youngsters in every enterprise?
Any young or old woman who can relate to my upbringing, cultural, educational, and socio-economic background will be curious to read just by looking at the cover of the book. Most of all, the individuals and organizations who supported me through my journey of achieving my education are sharing my book with their students through their monthly newsletter. In fact, the college where I received my teaching degree is doing that. The half a dozen non-profit organizations, including my Lutheran church, are also interested in my book. I have been actively involved for more than forty-two years with my church, and my fellow congregants could not wait to read my book.
That being said, the largest readership of my book is my former students, whom I taught in first and second grades, who are now educators themselves. I am grateful that I have established friendships with friends around the country as well as around the world.
What are the highlights of your career?
There have been several. I was named volunteer of the year early in my career for my hands-on volunteer work directly in the classroom, and for my advocating for the schools and community outside the classroom. I participated in a delegation that traveled to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of China’s Ministry of Education to discuss education in China and other countries. I was also proud to be a finalist for the Teacher of the Year in the Miami-Dade County school district. But the single greatest highlight of my career is the rewarding work I’ve done inside the classroom. There is nothing more rewarding than teaching young minds and shaping their future. Many of my students from years ago still keep in touch with me.
Any message you may want to convey to fellow educators in Ethiopia?
I think the most important message I can convey to fellow educators in Ethiopia is to have the desire to help others learn and grow. Actively seek out the educational needs in each of your communities. Work with your local governments and educators to fight to get the resources you need to teach those willing and striving to learn.