Aviva Halani

Whether she is in Bancroft cooking her signature artichoke dip and caramel brownies or in the classroom listening intently to her students, one can clearly see Dr. Aviva Halani’s love of education and passion for mathematics.

Halani’s interest in mathematics started from an early age. Her parents, as immigrants, devoted their careers to hotel businesses around Texas. Though Halani did not have a childhood of affluence, her parents did not economize on Halani’s education. Halani went to a Montessori school from an early age, where her teachers recognized and nurtured her talent in mathematics.

She continued to pursue her passion for math, later teaching undergraduate students while attending graduate school in Arizona State University, where she discovered her love for teaching. After finishing graduate school in 2013, Halani was appointed to Exeter’s Math Department.

Since then, Halani—in addition to teaching courses ranging from Transition 1 to Math 700—is part of various committees at PEA such as the Agenda Committee, Admissions Committee and the Center for Teaching and Learning Committee. To many Exonians, she is also known as the head of Bancroft Hall, a former advisor of Model UN or the faculty member of the Center for the Study of Boys’ + Girls’ Lives and Sheth Participatory Action Research Collaborative team. Over the summer, Halani enjoys spending time with teachers around the world through programs run by the Exeter Math Institute and Teachers Across Borders.

In the classroom, Halani makes a profound impact on her students. Senior Giulio Carassi explains: “I was used to a very different teaching method in math, and Dr. Halani really helped me understand the beauty of Harkness math and really fostered my curiosity.” I ended up asking so many questions in classes, and she would just listen and make me think more and more.”

Halani ensures that no student in the classroom feels judged. “I think it happens at the table trying to create a sense of community and trust, so that students are always comfortable asking questions. I don’t care if you are lost, I don’t care if you are misunderstanding; I don’t judge you for that,” she said.

According to senior Emily Cloonan, Halani often carries her relationship with students outside of the classroom. “I went to her whenever she was on duty, and she would always had food or like make me tea or something, and she was always the best,” Cloonan said. “My whole class would go and hang out with her, and she is so helpful. When you need help, she’s always there.”

Cloonan added that Halani serves as an outlet for her and sympathizes with her on many issues. “I know she will always be there for me, and it’s so nice to have that, being away from home. No matter what, if you are struggling, she doesn’t make you feel bad about it,” she said. “She recognizes the things that you don’t understand.”

Senior Jadzia Tedeschi shared a similar experience and described her relationship with Halani as she adjusted to Exeter. “She just kind of listened, and I didn’t feel judged by her,” she said. “She planted a seed of possibility, without being offensive in any way.”

Such student experiences are reflective of Halani’s constant effort to reach out to students beyond academic settings. “One of the things that I do love the most about being here is getting to know students outside the classroom. Many students that I taught last year continue to stop by when I am on duty, get lunch with me and stuff like that,” said Halani. 

Halani, according to Religion Instructor Hannah Hofheinz, is a caring and enthusiastic colleague. “I really appreciate working with her as a colleague and that she commits to projects and sees them through,” she said.

Hofheinz recalled her first memories with Halani, noting Halani’s “wide ranging mind.” Hofheinz recalled discussing literature with Halani and enjoying Halani’s energy during those conversations. “I am very grateful to have such a professional and a interpersonal relationship with her,” Hofheinz said. “It is important to love the people you are working with, and I am really grateful because I really like Dr. Halani.”

Hofheinz mentioned that Halani cares deeply about the Exeter community. “Dr. Halani is a good person,” she said. “She cares about the school as an institution and as a home and she also cares about the students.”

Halani’s love of Exeter’s community extends to dorm life. Senior and Bancroft resident Katrina Schmitt described her role in her dorm’s community. “Ms. Halani is an absolutely lovely human being and the best dorm head I could ever ask for,” Schmitt said. “She has such a warm personality, and you can tell she genuinely cares about the well-being of each and every student in Bancroft.”

Bancroft resident and senior Anna Clark detailed that Halani is attentive to each and every student in their dorm. “She always pays attention to her students’ needs, and I look forward to her duty night each week, as she opens her door to help her students and dorm members not only with math problems, but also to consult about people’s lives. She gives great advice, and what I appreciate most about her is how her advice is both optimistic and practical.”

Clark continued, recalling the first time she interacted with Halani. “The first time I met her, she had made treats for the whole dorm,” Clark said. “Her contributions to the dorm’s well-being far transcends her food preparation, though, and what I appreciate most about her is her genuine willingness and enthusiasm about helping Exeter’s students.”

In the upcoming winter term, Halani will be on sabbatical, preparing for her math 790 abstract algebra course in the spring and visiting other schools to study their teaching methods in math classrooms.