He wasn’t always the brightest student—in fact, until 8th grade, his grades were quite low. But when the ministry exam came, this same student scored an amazing 96%, surpassing even the top students!
At the time, his father was struggling to protect his life at the school where he taught, so seeing his son achieve such greatness filled him with indescribable joy. That moment changed everything—his life and his path in education forever.
This is the incredible story of Teacher Danachew Shambel ("Teacher Dani"), a man who has faced countless ups and downs.
The Struggles of a Late Bloomer
The hero worked hard to excel in his studies. Some top students teased him, saying he must have "drunk fish oil" to become smart. Others joked that it was because of Taekwondo that made him suddenly smart.—but that same sport even led to a broken left arm!
Yet, he didn’t give up. During winter breaks, he spent mornings in the Dire Dawa library, reading and studying. Math became his favorite subject—he played with numbers like they were puzzles, and soon, they obeyed him like magic.
The next year, in 9th grade, his latent talent out of nowhere blossomed. He ranked 3rd in his class and finally tasted the sweetness of success.
Trials and Triumphs
From then on, nothing could stop Dani. He aced every subject, and in 2007, he scored 515 in his 12th-grade exit exam, earning a spot at Addis Ababa University to study Mechanical Engineering. But after just 1 year and 6 months, he had to leave—life threw him into deep trouble, and he fell into hardship.
After being expelled, he got a chance to go to China. His father gathered what little money he had and sent him off. There, he studied Petroleum Engineering—but once again, hardship followed.
On his second attempt in China, he switched to Computer Science and even started tutoring other international students. But trouble found him again—he was arrested and deported.
A Life Rebuilt
Returning to Ethiopia, Dani hid his struggles from his father and lived on the streets of Addis. He turned to smoking, khat, and alcohol—but it didn’t help. At his lowest, he met a kind woman on a bus ride back to Addis, and her support became the turning point in his life.
The Birth of a Teacher
Dani began tutoring students in their toughest subjects—Math and Physics. One day, a student begged him to replace their physics teacher, who had left. That’s how Teacher Dani was born.
He made learning fun—turning complex theories into simple, engaging lessons. Students loved him. Soon, he and his wife saved 9,000 birr, quit his job, and opened "School of My Sees", a tutoring center in Bishoftu with just 16 students.
In three months, that number grew to 80! He expanded to three classes and even turned part of the building into a 24-hour library. His wife cooked meals while they both mentored students, guiding over 2,000 to academic success.
A Dream Bigger Than Borders
Later, despite his success, his center was unfairly shut down. Undeterred, he moved back to Addis Ababa and now teaches students online—from Ethiopia and beyond!
Many ask, "How do you make physics so easy?"
His answer? "Physics isn’t some miracle—it’s part of our daily life! I teach it like a first-grade lesson: simple, fun, and relatable. That’s why my students love it."
Teacher Dani believes, "Teaching isn’t about certificates—it’s a passion."
His Biggest Dream
"Right now, nothing makes me happier than seeing my students succeed. But my biggest dream? Turning 'My Side' into a global institution—one that changes education not just in Ethiopia, but worldwide!"