Meet Our Community Action Team

Warren Steele
Volunteer Coordinator
Warren Steele started the local Community Action Team for The Ferst Readers in March, 2012. Warren is a retired Senior Vice President of Aflac, and currently serves on the board of Ferst Readers and Piedmont Healthcare.

Judy Heider
As a retired early childhood educator with 40+ years of teaching in 3 states, Judy has seen firsthand the importance of reading to young children and them having access to age-appropriate books at home. Judy is also becoming a trained reading recovery teacher and currently serves as Director of St. Luke Early Learning Center. Judy believes that Ferst Readers is a great opportunity to support early literacy in our community.

Ann McDuffie
Ann comes to the Community Action Team after recently retiring as Headmaster of St. Luke School after 12 years. Prior to that she spent 29 years in the Muscogee County School District as a science teacher, science consultant and principal. Ann is a member of the Administrative Board of St. Luke Church and the Seekers Sunday School class. She loves spending time at Georgia's Lake Sinclair and traveling with family and friends.

Greta Browder
Greta Browder is the Children’s Outreach Coordinator for Chattahoochee Valley Libraries. As a military brat and Army spouse, she has lived and worked in many places, but has called Columbus home for over 10 years now. She has a BS in Elementary Ed and a M.S. in Reading. Greta is dedicated to improving early literacy in Muscogee County by sharing the joy of books and reading starting at birth.
%20(1)_JPG.jpg)
Veverlyn Ealy
Born and raised in South Carolina, Veverlyn joined the Community Action Team with a strong passion for childhood literacy. With her current role in the Muscogee County School District Federal Program for Parent and Family Engagement, her biggest goal is to make all children feel loved and valued. She has a BA and MA in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina-Aiken and Troy State University. Veverlyn came to Ferst Readers strictly because "Ferst is a blessing to many families"

Terry Baker
Terry Baker is the West Region Chief for the Muscogee County School District. His initial experience with Muscogee County Ferst Foundation was during a Literacy Night event held at Fox Elementary School. As a former elementary school teacher and principal, he understands the need for early literacy and the impact it has on our youngest students.

Donna Kemp
Donna is a retired Muscogee County Educator.
Meet Our Other Team Members
Alice McClellan
Retired Muscogee County Media Specialist
Rebecca Haskey
Muscogee County School District
Dr. Sue McWhirter
Columbus Pediatrician