Announcing John Fulmer and Dr. Susan Thomas: New Senior Leadership Team for Glenforest School
August 6, 2013
WEST COLUMBIA, SC – August, 2013- Glenforest School and Governing Board have announced exiting changes in senior leadership for the new school year. It is with great excitement that Glenforest welcomes Dr. Susan Thomas and Mr. John Fulmer as driving forces behind a newly formed dynamic leadership team for the thirty-one-year-old school. The pair will officially take the reins this fall at the beginning of the 2013/14 academic year.
Susan Shope Thomas, Ph.D joins Glenforest School to serve as Head of School. She brings with her thirty-two years of educational experience, which includes administrative roles, consulting, and classroom instruction. She served as the Head of Teaching and Learning at Awsaj Institute of Education in Doha, Qatar, Executive Director of Programs for Students with Disabilities in the Berkeley County Schools, and Director of Special Services in Lexington School District Three.
Dr. Thomas also served as an education associate in the Office of Exceptional Children at the South Carolina Department of Education. She has eighteen years of classroom teaching experience serving in South Carolina public schools, and for the past decade, has taught at the University of South Carolina as an adjunct professor in special education.
In addition, Dr. Thomas provides educational consultation to schools and districts in the areas of positive behavior interventions and supports and effective instructional strategies for students who learn differently. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina where she received a Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education and a Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership. She is also a graduate of Clemson University where she achieved her Master of Education degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Learning Disabilities. She is an active member of the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children.
“Dr. Thomas shares with us a common philosophy and a practical and enthusiastic understanding of our population, curriculum, academic mission and overall vision,” said Louise Rogers Slater, Chairman of the Glenforest School Governing Board. “She will work closely with our educational staff to continue the development of evidence based academic and behavioral practices that will enable Glenforest students to meet their post-school goals.”
Mr. John Fulmer joins Glenforest School in a new capacity as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Development. According to the governing board the addition of a separate senior leadership role for this distinct position is an important step in the long-range growth plan for Glenforest School.
Mr. Fulmer, a graduate of Clemson University, comes to Glenforest with a wealth of business and finance knowledge, understanding and experience. He worked for nearly four decades with Bank of America before retiring.
Most recently, Mr. Fulmer has spent the last two years volunteering as business and finance advisor at Glenforest School lending his valuable knowledge and expertise to our staff and the school governing board. For the past two seasons, he has volunteered as coach to the Glenforest Bulldogs student golf team.
“Mr. Fulmer has a vision of increasing the revenue and operational efficiency at Glenforest to enable the school to expand its scope of work for students who learn differently. His thirty-four years of professional experience make him an invaluable asset and will help us continue to thrive and grow,” said Louise Rogers Slater, Chairman of the Glenforest School Governing Board.
About Glenforest School: Glenforest School is a K-12 independent nonprofit day school located in West Columbia, South Carolina. Since 1983 the school has dedicated itself providing high quality instruction to increase the academic skills and social competence of students with learning differences. Our mission is to provide an outstanding education to those who have not thrived in a traditional learning environment. For more information, call Glenforest School at (803) 796.7622 or visit online at glenforest.org.
