
Meet the Team

Debra A. Caperton, BS, M.Ed
Certified Special Education Teacher, Certified General Education Teacher, Guidance Counselor, Reading Specialist, and ESL debbie@soslearninglab.com
Debbie earned her teaching degree from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Special and Elementary Education. Her Master of Arts in Education Degree with an emphasis in School Guidance Counseling from Ottawa University was earned along with her Reading and ESL (English as a Second Language) endorsements. Debbie has taught Special Education in the public school setting at all levels for 11 years with students of multiple disabilities. Ten of those years were spent teaching in Mesa, Arizona and one year in Elk Rapids as the Special Education Coordinator.
In 2010, she created SOS Learning Lab, LLC as an Educational Specialist to provide parents and their children with behavioral strategies, academic support, and self-advocacy development services to help build a bridge between schools, therapists, parents, and students. Due to the growing need and request for resources in the community for specific life skill services, Debbie decided to expand her business. In January 2014, she received a sub-micro loan through the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and Fifth Third Bank; this allowed Debbie to open the lab and better meet the needs of individuals with special challenges. Her life-long passion has always been to teach and guide individuals toward their hopes, dreams, and personal goals to become the best that they can be. Through SOS she has achieved this and more.

Carolyn Wilson, BS, M.Ed. carolyn@soslearninglab.com
Carolyn earned her Bachelor and Master of Education Degrees from the University of Maryland in 2012. She is a Traverse City native, having graduated from West Senior High and Northwestern Michigan College. Carolyn holds certifications in early childhood special education (birth-3rd grade) and severe disabilities (birth-21) in Maryland. Her additional Michigan certifications include Elementary K-5 all subjects, K-8 all subjects self-contained classroom, and learning disabilities K-12. She believes learners should not be compared to each other, and anyone can learn when they have the right tools, encouragement, and motivation.
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Bethany McClean, M.Ed bethany@soslearninglab.com
Bethany was born and raised in Traverse City and graduated from Traverse City Central High School. She earned her Teaching Degree from Central Michigan University in 2005 and moved her family to Nevada for her first teaching position in a one-room schoolhouse in a ghost town. She eventually moved back home to Michigan and earned her Master's in Curriculum and Instruction with a Special Education Emphasis in 2022. Her certifications include: Elementary Education K-8, Learning Disabilities K-12, Reading K-8, Early Childhood Education PK, and Science K-8. She has had a variety of experience in both brick and mortar and online teaching. The last three years were spent in Special Education Administration at an online school. She is thrilled to join SOS and is ready to help all learners feel supported and successful.

Dana Shepherd, BA, M.Ed. dana@soslearninglab.com
Dana earned her Bachelor's degree in secondary education from Grand Valley State University in 2008, majoring in mathematics education and health education. She earned her Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Ferris State University in 2016. She taught 12 years for Elk Rapids schools in which she taught two years at Elk Rapids High School and 10 years at Cherryland Middle School. She has always been inventive with her instruction as she teaches using a variety of technology, creates math art projects, and finds ways for students to apply learning to the real world. However, through her experiences, she has realized the most effective way to teach is to build relationships, create a relaxed and fun learning environment, and to individualize instruction to meet the needs of all students.


Charity Sawyer charity@soslearninglab.com
Hired as Administrative Specialist, Charity has twenty years’ experience as an administrative and bookkeeping specialist. She and her husband of 24 years are licensed foster care parents as well as adoptive parents. She is a parent co-trainer for the foster care licensing program PRIDE as well as a former Foster Care Navigator. These specialized skills are a significant contribution to other programs we provide here at SOS. Charity is a firm believer that strengthening families and communities is essential to help all children/youth reach their fullest potential. She loves helping and mentoring young people in the healing process that is involved with adverse childhood experiences.
Adam Wilson adam@soslearninglab.com
Adam grew up in Traverse City and graduated from TC West Before attending NMC.
He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration through Davenport University while working full time in healthcare. He definitely understands what it is like to be a non-traditional student, while balancing work and family life. Adam also has first-hand experience with the struggles of having a disability, having been treated for ADHD since he was 5 years old.
After working for Munson Medical Center for 11 years he decided to move his skills into the world of education. Fortunately, he had an "in" at SOS! Adam believes that everyone learns differently and that every student deserves the opportunity to be successful.
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Melissa Sawyer melissa@soslearninglab.com
Melissa earned her associates degree in Child Development from Northwestern Michigan College. She worked as a lead and assistant teacher in the child care setting from 2010 to 2017. She then decided to change careers to health care and earned her CNA certificate. She worked as a CNA on the stroke unit at Munson for seven years. Melissa also is a Mom to three boys, one of which that has medical needs along with physical and cognitive disabilities. Melissa strives to support and build community with other parents of disabled children going through similar situations.
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Lilia Kidd lilia@soslearninglab.com
Lilia is a Traverse City native having graduated from Central High School. She interned with the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA), where she focused on providing insight on the reality of youth homelessness. She worked alongside SOS Learning Lab and became inspired by their mission, eventually becoming part of the team. Lilia aspires to help other people using the experience she has from her life, and being the best big sister to her 3 younger siblings. She has a pet snake, enjoys listening to music, math, arts and crafts, laughing with friends and family, and is always down for some takeout.

Carlee Caperton carlee@soslearninglab.com
Carlee was hired by Debbie to assist her with running the business and working with students. She loves helping young people and connecting with all of the clients at SOS. Her compassion and understanding makes it fun working with students and clients. She also has a passion for animals and the therapeutic benefits of bonding with all kinds of creatures. Carlee has experience training and working with therapy horses and is proud to love and care for two of her own. She hopes to continue investing her time and energy into the business so the team can help students in the community for years to come. Carlee was made co-owner in 2022.