Your Neighborhood Educational Resource Center!
Debra A. Caperton, BS, M.Ed
Debbie earned her teaching degree from NAU with a Bachelor of Science in Special and Elementary Education. She also earned her Master's of Arts in Education Degree with an emphasis in School Guidance Counseling from Ottawa University. Debbie taught Special Education in the public school setting at all levels for 11 years with students of multiple disabilities in both Arizona and Michigan.​
In 2010, she started this company; in 2014 SOS opened its brick-and-mortar location and has served members of our community ever since.
Debra Caperton
Carolyn Wilson, BS, M.Ed. carolyn@soslearninglab.com
Carolyn earned her Bachelor and Master's of Education Degrees from the University of Maryland in 2012. She holds certifications in early childhood special education (birth-3rd grade), severe disabilities (birth-21), 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.
Carolyn Wilson
Sara Midura Smith, BS, M. Ed sara@soslearninglab.com
Sara graduated from Butler University in 2016 with a BS in Elementary Education and Special Education certification, and later earned an Applied Educational Neuroscience certification and a Master’s in Effective Teaching and Leadership. Her experience includes serving as an Educational Liaison at Riley Children’s Hospital, a certified teacher for Emotional Impairment at Creekside School, and working as an Engagement Behavior Specialist for Northwest Education Services. She believes in supporting student mental health and the whole child, as well as helping adults bridge school, medical, and home care for cohesive, strengths-based support.
Sara Smith
Charity Sawyer
Charity is our Administrative Specialist; she has twenty years of experience as an administrative and bookkeeping specialist. She was formerly a parent co-trainer for the foster care licensing program PRIDE as well as a Foster Care Navigator. She loves helping and mentoring young people in the healing process that is involved with adverse childhood experiences.
Charity Sawyer
Bethany McLean, M.Ed bethany@soslearninglab.com
Bethany earned her Teaching Degree from Central Michigan University in 2005 and a 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. Bethany joined SOS in 2024. She is always thrilled to help all learners feel supported and successful.
Bethany McLean
Adam Wilson, BA
adam@soslearninglab.com
​Adam graduated from TC West before attending NMC, where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration through Davenport University. He understands what it's like to be a non-traditional student while balancing work and family life. He also has first-hand experience with the struggles of having a disability, having been treated for ADHD since he was 5 years old.
Adam Wilson
Carlee Caperton
Carlee helped start SOS with her mom, Debbie, as a teenager. As she grew alongside the family business, she discovered she loved to help other young people who struggled with the same things she did. She's grateful that her experience with juggling chronic health issues allows her to connect with students at SOS who are learning to do the same.
Carlee runs the SOS Pride Social Group, manages the company marketing, and was made co-owner in 2022.
Carlee Caperton
Michelle Stevenson, BS.
Michelle earned a BS in Sociology from Arizona State University and is
certified in Restorative Practices.
She has worked and volunteered with youth in our community for more than 30 years; most recently at SOS working as a mentor and tutor. She is also part of the social work team at TCAPS as a Behavioral Interventionist. She believes in the greatness of each student when given a supportive environment and lots of love.
Michelle Stevenson
Melissa Smith, BS
Mel holds a BS in Broadcast Journalism with a specialization in Spanish from MSU. With a background in broadcast news and public relations, she has a passion for education, mentoring, and community engagement- especially when it comes to animal welfare. She has served as the Senior Specialist of Media Relations for Humane World for Animals and is currently the VP of TC Paw Cat Rescue.
Mel is also a building substitute at TC West Middle School. She is dedicated to inspiring students to discover their potential and make a positive impact on the world around them.
Mel Smith
Lilia Kidd
After graduating from Central High School, Lilia 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 and became inspired by our 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.
Lilia Kidd
Melissa Sawyer
melissa@soslearninglab.com
Melissa earned her associates degree in Child Development from NMC. She worked as both a lead and assistant teacher in the childcare setting from 2010 to 2017. She then switched careers to healthcare 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 has medical needs along with physical and cognitive disabilities. She strives to support and build community with other parents of disabled children going through similar situations.
Melissa Sawyer
Madeline Aulicino
Madeline earned a BA in Arts and Humanities and a BA in Human Development and Family studies from MSU. For 3 years after that she worked abroad, first in Argentina and then in South Korea teaching English to students of all ages. Upon her return to the US she obtained a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Lewis and Clark College in Portland and eventually made her way back home to TC. She is deeply passionate about education and strongly believes that every learner, no matter who they are, deserves education that meets their needs and unique ways of learning as well as teachers who respect them and meet them where they are.
Madeline Aulicino
Susie Greenfelder
Susie has been providing access to local resources and education opportunities for 12 years in the Traverse Bay Area. She has an MSW from U of M and spent 16 years with the State of Michigan providing services to youth and young adults who had experienced foster care, homelessness, and disabilities. She has developed programming for youth at the state level and in collaboration with NMC. She is a specialized life coach and currently consults to assist youth in discovering and attaining pathways to their life goals while helping them overcome daily challenges that can interfere with achieving their educational goals.
Susie Greenfelder