Energy Ant switches to new school head
By Cindy Thompson

Dr. Gillian Barclay-Smith with one of her dogs "Buster," who resembles the Glenforest School bulldog mascot. Photo by Patrick Saucier

While living in Germany more than 20 years ago, Dr. Gillian Barclay-Smith would never have guessed her role as Energy Ant would have directed her toward becoming the head of Glenforest School in West Columbia.

"I didn't really intend to teach. It was a career that chose me!" she explained.

Born and raised in England, Barclay-Smith graduated with an M.A. in English and German Literature and a minor in education from the University of Duesseldorf, Germany, in 1979. Following graduation, she took on a newly created job with the US Army in Germany promoting energy conservation.

"I went into the local American elementary school dressed as Energy Ant, a character I had created to try to persuade the students to join my energy saving club!" she said.

Wearing the ant costume seemed to work for her. She was soon offered a job teaching German, and she met her husband Patrick Saucier who was in the US Army.

Gillian Barclay-Smith cultivated a rock-solid career in the education arena as she and her husband moved from Germany to Savannah, Ga., where she taught German. Eleven years ago, the couple moved to Columbia, where Saucier initiated a career teaching sociology at USC, and Barclay-Smith developed a teaching career that would ultimately lead her to Glenforest School.

Barclay-Smith taught at Heathwood Hall, Harmony School, and Sandhills School, where she became assistant head. With each position, she acquired a clearer vision of how the education system can adapt to teach children who learn differently, specifically those who have dyslexia or ADHD.

"There is nothing more rewarding than seeing children grow and gain confidence in their own abilities, particularly when they have been unsuccessful in other school settings. They are also fun students to work with because they are so often bright and creative, out-of-the-box thinkers!"

She was inspired to obtain her Ph.D. by "a desire to be a voice for children in education, particularly those for whom the traditional school setting and curriculum are not a good fit," She received her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education, at USC, Columbia, in 2002.

April 2006, Dr. Barclay-Smith assumed her new position as head of Glenforest School, which is a private, non-profit school for bright students who learn differently, specializing in students who have dyslexia and attention issues.

Dr. Barclay-Smith highlighted some of the exciting new programs that will be introduced at Glenforest School:

+ The school will incorporate a new multi-sensory reading program that is specifically designed to help dyslexic students who struggle with reading.

+ A new elective cooking class will be taught by Chef Peter Lawrence of USC Culinary Art's Institute.

+ Midlands Technical School "Studies Skills" class will be offered at Glenforest for juniors and seniors. Students will receive Midlands Tech credit.

+ The Palmetto Master Singers is working with Glenforest School to start a music program. There are tentative plans to hold an evening music event at Glenforest School in October to benefit the new music program.

In addition to her role in education, Dr. Barclay-Smith has a soft spot in her heart for animals. She has taken in six dogs. She and her husband Saucier, a sociology professor at USC, even decided to move to Hopkins to give the dogs freedom to run.

"Our most recent 'find' was Woody, who my dogs and I found on a cold January morning while walking in the woods. He was about five weeks old and totally abandoned. Like most of my dogs, he was sick, but we have the most wonderful vet (Caroline Weber, Rosewood Animal Clinic) who nurses all our foundlings back to health. Woody, a sort of hound dog, has completed our 'six pack' that includes Bingo, Buster, Casey, Ginger, and Daisy."

Dr. Barclay-Smith decided to build a "groom room" in the garage to bathe the dogs. She pointed out that two of her dogs, Buster and Ginger, somewhat favor Glenforest's mascot, the bulldog.

Glenforest is a private, non-profit school located at 1041 Harbor Dr. in West Columbia. For more information call (803) 796-7622.