MDOCP - Fish

Announcements

There are no announcements at this time.

Class Schedule (2019-2020)

Coming soon.

Teacher Bios

The Fish class includes three teachers to serve you: John Rangel, Felicia Soechting, and Elise Smothermon. John works Monday through Thursday, Felicia works Monday and Wednesday, and Elise works Tuesday and Thursday.

John Rangel (Monday - Thursday)

Hello Fish Parents. My name is John Rangel and I am thrilled to be returning to teach again in the Fish class! This is my third year as a teacher at MDOCP, but my family and I have been involved with the program for years, when my son Liam first enrolled in 2015 as a Penguin.

Liam (6) is now in First Grade at Tobias Elementary, my daughter Avery (4) is enrolled in the Preschool program here as an Owl, and my twin sons James and Dexter (12) have moved in with us full-time and are entering Simon Middle School in the 7th grade.

I am happily married to my wife, Keisha, who I have known since we were friends in high school. We married in 2012 and I left my career to become a stay-at-home-daddy in 2013 after Liam was born. I have had a lot of practice these past few years raising little ones, and am excited to contribute to your children’s education, social development, and building a relationship with God at such an important young age.

Mrs. Felicia, Mrs. Elise and I are looking forward to a wonderful year with the Fish! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make you and/or your child’s experience even more positive at any time throughout the year. We are here to help. Warm regards and welcome to the Fish Tank!

Felicia Soechting (Monday/Wednesday)

Dear Fish Family, my name is Felicia Soechting, I am a native Texan having been born and raised in New Braunfels, Texas where I met and married my high school sweetheart, Keith. Keith was diagnosed with brain cancer in early 2017 and passed away January 2018. Together we have lived in various Texas cities and raised three children. Our oldest, Paul, 24 years old, graduated from Texas School for the Deaf in 2014. He then completed a degree in welding from TSTC in 2015. Elizabeth, 21, is currently a senior at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona where she is studying Software Engineering. Our youngest daughter, Grace, age 17, is a high school senior at Texas School for the Deaf and is showing an interest in someday working with animals. I began working as an MDO teacher in 2007 and started here at MDOCP working with one and two-year olds in 2014. In my free time I enjoy reading, learning to crochet, and relaxing by the pool or at the beach. I am a self-proclaimed child at heart and will likely never fully grow up.

Thank you for sharing your child with me and my fellow Fish Tank teachers. We look forward to a fun semester loving and teaching your child.

Elise Smothermon (Tuesday/Thursday)

My name is Elise Smothermon and I was born and raised in East Texas. I spent a brief time in Denton obtaining my bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. After several moves, I am very excited to finally be settled down in the Austin area with my family.

I love the arts, reading, dance, and baking. When I am not doing something related to one of those activities, or chasing my kids around the house, I am exploring the river trails and parks. I am excited to add taking care of these little ones to the activities of my life. Exploring new things has always been a passion of mine, and I'm looking forward to exploring with some new friends.