Meet Aster

A Lifetime of Service to Students and Her Community:

Born in the Village of Aira in Ethiopia, Aster knew from an early age that education and service were not only her passion, but her calling. She is the youngest of six children and the pride of her family, especially her eldest brother, Deressa , who was also an educator. She attended The German Hermansburg Mission School (1-8 grades). After passing the Ethiopian national exam, Aster was the first girl from the family and village to attend an academically prestigious Christian high school, over 600 miles away from her home, with board, room and tuition paid by a German mission. Because of her top grades, she received a full scholarship provided by the Lutheran Church and migrated to the United States in 1969 to attend Olaf College in Minnesota. Aster’s love of learning and academic excellence helped her secure a second scholarship to Augsburg College where she received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education and a third full scholarship to the University of Minnesota where she received her Master’s of Arts in Education Administration. Additionally, she is proudly certified in Elementary Education, Gifted Education Endorsed as well as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsed until 2020. Aster has honored her brother’s legacy by sharing knowledge and hope with everyone she meets.

Aster’s love for education and devotion to her Christian faith were the combination that set the wheels in motion for her to meet the love of her life, Dr. Dominic A. Mohamed (one of the first professors at Florida International University) as he was also receiving his PH.D at the University of Minnesota. It was love at first sight and they soon married in 1975. Dr. Mohamed was offered a position at FIU and the dynamic couple moved to Kendale Lakes in 1976. It is no coincidence that two of their three children are also educators as education has always been an important and integral part of Aster’s family. Her faith and desire to be of service to her community is evident in everything Aster’s has accomplished. Now she is running for School Board Member to put forth her experience as a mother, grandmother, teacher, counselor, and community advocate to truly represent the best interests of the students, parents, educators and working families of District 7!

Points to Remember:

Beloved retired Kendale Lakes Elementary teacher
Kendale Lakes resident since 1976
Community leader advocating for quality of life and safety in Kendall for over 30 years
Proud mother of 3 children and grandmother of 2 grandchildren all attending our public schools
Understands the value of education and has proven leadership skills to help our students succeed
Possesses a keen understanding of how our public school system works both at the school and district levels

EDUCATION:

Gifted Teacher Education Certification Training Program, 1984, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Master of Arts, Educational Administration, 1974, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, 1973, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN
Religious Education, Gemeinde Helfrin Seminar, 1968, Bad Salzuflen, West Germany
Vocational Home Economics, Mathilde Zimmer Stiftung Staatlich Anerkannte Frauen Fachschule, 1966 – 1967, Kassel, West Germany
High School, Ethiopian Evangelical College, 1962 – 1965, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVITIES

Vice-Chairperson, Chairperson and member, Miami-Dade Police Kendall/Hammocks District Advisory Committee, 1987 – present
Vice President and member, Kendall Federation of Homeowners Associations, (KFHA) 1983 – 2015
Chairperson, Educational Excellence School Advisory Council (EESAC), Kendale Lakes Elementary School, 2003 – 2006
President, Kendale Lakes Parents and Teachers Association Inc., (P. A. T.) 2013-2014
Advisory Board, Open Space Special Taxing District Kendale Lakes Park 2012 – Present, appointed
Member, Kendale Lakes Elementary Educational Excellence School Advisory, Business/Community Representative, appointed
Member, Greater Kendall Business Association 2012 - Present
Organizer, Petition Drive against Miccosukee Golf and Country Club from becoming a Tribal Land Trust, 2012, 2014
President, Lord of Life Lutheran Preschool, 2010 – 2011; 2013 – 2014
Member, Teacher of the Year Nomination Committee, South Region 2010 Appointed by Region Superintendent
President, Lord of Life Lutheran Church Congregation Council, 2005 – 2006
Coach/Mentor, M-DCPS and United Teachers of Dade, New Educators Support System, October 2000
Member, Principal of the Year Committee, Region VI, Miami, FL 1992. 1993 Appointed by Region Superintendent
President,Vice President, American Business Women’s Association, chaired Women of the Year Nominee Award and Boss/Business Associate Award Committee and membership chairperson. Gave scholarships to 38 women over two year period. 1988 – 1998
Member, West Kendall School Construction Oversight Committee, appointed 1989 – 1994
Feeder Pattern Representative, Sunset High School, District Citizens Advisory Committee, appointed1988 – 1994
Member, West Kendall Transportation Committee, 1988 – 1994 Appointed
Board Member, Kendale Lakes Homeowners’ Association, 1983 – 1994
President, Vice President, & Secretary, Kendale Lakes Parents and Teachers, Inc., (P.A.T.) 1983 – 1990

AWARDS, HONORS & RECOGNITIONS

Kendale Lakes Elementary Parents and Teachers Assoc. Inc., (PAT) Award of recognition for dedication as President 2013-2014
Office of Community Engagement, for your years of tireless commitment and dedication to the students, parents and community of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS ) May 2012
Miami-Dade Police Department, Hammocks District Advisory Committee, Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) Chairperson in Recognition for many years of service and dedication, 2007
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Award of Recognition for dedication as President of Church Council, 2005 - 2006
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2005, 2006
Ministry of Education and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, in recognition of my contribution to deepen understanding of how professional teaching standards are developed implemented and assessed
Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year, Kendale Elementary School and Region Finalist, 2000
National Top Ten Business Women Nominee, American Business Women’s Association, 1998
Women of Kendall, Kendall Gazette, 1991, 1992, 1993
Outstanding Exemplary Volunteer, Kendale Elementary School, 1988, 1989
Outstanding Service Award, Miami-Dade District Citizen’s Advisory Committee, 1989 – 1990
Outstanding Service to the Kendall Community, Kendall Federation of Homeowners’ Association, 1987, 1989, 1990

Meet Aster: