Jocey Morrell Augliera spent her years at West Haven High School fully engaged in both academics and athletics. The people she met and the experiences she had there helped her discover her interests and gave her a sense of direction after graduation. Those formative years left a lasting impression that continues to guide her choices today.
Teachers and coaches played a pivotal role in Jocey’s growth. “Mr. Dandelske, Mrs. Clifford (Paredes), and Mrs. Mitchell always made school fun and made me want to come to class every day and learn! I guess that gym teacher Mr. Morrell was cool too!” she recalls, joking about her father. On the athletic side, Jocey highlights her hockey coach, Ms. Franco. “She devoted her time even for 5 a.m. practices. Always with a smile on her face, she inspired me to take over as coach when the time came.”
Sports were central to her high school experience. Jocey played soccer, hockey, and softball all four years. That dedication carried over to Stonehill College, where she played Division II softball while earning a degree in Elementary Education and American Studies. She later completed her Master’s in Reading at Southern Connecticut State University.
Jocey’s advice for students reflects her focus on following what matters to them. “Do what makes you happy, not what's going to make you the most money. Money will come and go, but if you find a job you love doing, you'll never ‘work’ a day in your life. Also, don’t compare your timeline to others, everyone grows at a different pace, and none of it means someone is ahead or behind.” She adds, “Your worth isn’t measured by grades, popularity, or what anyone else thinks. And most importantly, enjoy the small moments with friends. They end up being the ones you remember the most!”
Time management has been a part of her routine since her student-athlete days. “Being a three-sport athlete, I had to make sure I stayed on top of school work, sports, relationships, and my overall mental health. Making daily lists helped me organize my thoughts and keep track of everything, and it’s something I still do every day.”
Today, Jocey continues to serve the West Haven community. She teaches Current Events at Bailey Middle School, marking her third year there, and previously taught fifth grade at Carrigan. She also serves as the Girls Hockey Assistant Coach at West Haven High School, a role she has held for eleven years. Her family’s roots in the district run deep. Her mother is a secretary at Seth Haley, her father is the Athletic Director at West Haven High School, and her sister, Jolie Morrell Froehlich, teaches math at West Haven High School.
Jocey Morrell Augliera has returned to West Haven as a teacher and coach, bringing her experiences as a student and athlete into her daily work. She draws on the lessons she learned at the school and the connections she made in the community to support her students and players. Each day presents challenges and opportunities, and she approaches them with the perspective shaped by her own years growing up in West Haven.