Jolie Morrell Froehlich’s connection to West Haven High School runs deep, shaped by years of athletics, academics, and a community that helped guide her path. A three-sport athlete and active member of Peer Advocates and Unified Sports, she quickly learned that West Haven High School connected her with teachers, coaches, and peers who influenced her path.
Her love for learning began long before high school, strengthened by the teachers who inspired her from the start. Jolie still remembers her earliest days at Mackrille, where Mrs. Gissel and Ms. Pitts made school feel exciting and welcoming. “You could tell that they really loved their job, and it made me want to be just like them when I grew up,” she says. By the time she reached Bailey Middle School, Jolie found even more clarity about her future. “Teachers like Mrs. Anastasio, Mr. Hardy, and Mrs. Mitchell really solidified the idea of choosing teaching as a career,” she explains, crediting their encouragement for helping her understand her strengths and passions.
Her experiences at West Haven High School added even more fuel to her goals. Jolie points to teachers such as Mr. Jackson and Mr. Schevling, who “made me really love math,” and Mr. Dandelske, who demonstrated that “teaching could be fun” and that doing what you love makes the long hours worth it. One of the most meaningful parts of Jolie’s senior year came on the softball field. That season, she had the chance to be coached by her father, a moment she still holds close. “It was truly the best year,” she says. “From an early age, watching him coach taught me how to be an athlete. He has instilled so many lessons not only in me but in all the athletes around him.”
When she reflects on the advice she would give to students today, Jolie focuses on persistence and perspective. “Continue to work hard and never give up, whether that means going to a four year college, going to a trade school, or going straight into the work force,” she encourages. “Go travel the world, but remember West Haven will always be home.” Looking back on her own high school years, Jolie wishes she had embraced the moment even more. “Do not sweat the small stuff and enjoy every minute of it,” she says. “I look back now and realize how much I really enjoyed high school and how quickly it went. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Her professional journey eventually brought her right back to where it all started. “I am lucky enough to continue my career where it all started,” Jolie shares, now a teacher at West Haven High School. With degrees from the University of New Haven and Fairfield University, she always knew she wanted to enter the field of education. When her older sister became a teacher in the district as well, it strengthened that instinct. “Now it is just a family affair,” she laughs. “It is honestly the best job in the world and I would not trade it for anything.”
The outlook that guides Jolie today centers on working hard, staying grounded, and doing what she loves. “Just keep working hard. Good things come to those who work hard and never give up. Find something you truly love, because if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. And never forget where you came from.” Her story reflects the power of great teachers, the importance of family, and the meaning found in returning to your roots. Jolie’s path from West Haven High School student to West Haven High School educator stands as an example of giving back to the place that shaped her.