Credits

David Wald - Managing Producer
My first job in film/television was as a grip on a film (starring Ben Gazzara), which turned out to be an ideal hands-on introduction to filmmaking. After a few years of gripping I became a video editor and spent 10 years at CBS News editing, and then producing, magazine and news stories. After leaving CBS I produced for NBC, ABC, Fox, Court TV, HBO, National Geographic and A&E, among others. A highlight in my career was becoming Sr. Producer of Michael Moore's Emmy-winning magazine show "TV Nation." Another was creating a series at CBS entitled "Everybody Has a Story." I have also followed a Miami murder investigation, overseen a series about women doctors and another about 'Doctors Without Borders.' I am excited by the opportunity to bring attention to important stories in education. My wife is a children's librarian and we are the proud parents of a 16-year-old daughter.

New Orleans Team

Julie Almendral - Producer, New Orleans, LA (Episodes 4 - 6)
Before joining Learning Matters in February 2008, I had been in the documentary film and television industry for six years. I’ve had the pleasure of working with and learning from very talented filmmakers on subjects ranging from mummies and cannibals to social injustices. In 2005 I traveled around the world on a Naval aircraft carrier for a PBS series, spent most of the next year filming in a toxic dump for what is now an HBO co-production, and most recently spent several months in story and character development for a potential cable series. I’ve enjoyed working as both a sound recordist and a videographer and I welcome any opportunity for more travel. Outside of work, I enjoy baking, exploring Brooklyn, and dreaming up film projects. 

Katie Robbins - Producer, New Orleans, LA (Episodes 1 - 4)
I come to Learning Matters having spent the last five years working in documentary film and television. I recently had the chance to travel to locations as far-flung as Antarctica and Inner Mongolia for a series on global environmental issues. Prior to that I worked with Peter Jennings on his final long-form documentary for ABC News – an hour on America’s health insurance crisis. After graduating from Yale in 2002 with a BA in Theater Studies, I taught drama and creative writing to middle and elementary school students in New York. Next year I plan to “retire” from journalism to return full-time to the classroom. My experience on this series has in many ways inspired that decision.

Valerie Visconti – Producer, New Orleans, LA (Episodes 1 - 6)
Before joining the Learning Matters team in September of 2000, I produced and directed programs at my college campus television station while being in charge of the programming department there. From that experience, I knew that I wanted to be involved in the television industry.

Throughout my time at Learning Matters, I have worked as an Associate Producer on segments for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, as well as for long form documentaries such as “First to Worst.” I have also produced biweekly podcasts featuring interviews with teachers, students, college presidents, and policy experts within the K-12 and higher education arena. When I’m not plugging away on this exciting series, my time belongs to my beautiful 4-year-old son.

Washington, DC Team

Cat McGrath - Producer, Washington, DC (Episodes 1 - 6)
I joined Learning Matters in the fall of 2007 after 6 years of working in non-fiction programming, most recently at A&E Television on the short form series, This Day in History. For the past 4 years in New York, I have primarily worked as a Field and Associate Producer on shows for The History Channel. Before returning to NYC in 2003, I lived in San Francisco for 11 years where I worked for two years at KRON TV. I show produced reality specials and associate and segment produced for a local travel show called, Bay Area Backroads.

Prior to my life in television, I was a certified welder working in metal fabrication and before that worked in the theater, directly after completing my degree in theater from Skidmore College. When I’m not at work, my husband and I are basking in the joy of our little baby girl who is one and half years old.

Jane Renaud - Producer, Washington, DC (Episodes 1 - 6)
I joined Learning Matters in 2005 after finishing my BFA at New York University. I've worked previously in reality television, at Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, in feature film development, and as a ballet teacher for young children. Since I've been at Learning Matters, I've had the pleasure of working with the team here to produce segments for The NewsHour and our documentary on community colleges, Discounted Dreams. When I'm not working, I continue to pursue film projects and am an avid novel-reader.

Podcast Producers

Christine Renaud - Podcast Producer (Episodes 1 - 4)
Born and raised in Montreal, I am ze French Canadian of ze office. Prior to my expatriation, I worked as an educator, a social entrepreneur and a consultant, creating educational cultural exchanges and curriculum for teachers and students. In 2006, I packed my mom’s mini-van with books and poutine sauce and moved to Cambridge, where I completed my Masters Degree at the Harvard Graduate School Education.

Selly Thiam - Podcast Producer (Episodes 5 - 6)
After teaching for eight years in the Chicago Public School System, I moved into radio producing. My career in radio started with a borrowed minidisc and a road trip to Toronto to get my first interview. Then there was no turning back.

Since then, I have been a contributing journalist for National Public Radio, a producer for the StoryCorps Oral History Project in New York City and founded the oral history project, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Sometimes I miss being a teacher in the classroom but I have become fascinated with the sound medium and producing media that explores issues important to society.