John Merrow • President and Executive Producer/Host
I’ve been at this business of reporting about youth and education since 1974, when National Public Radio broadcast my first effort, a hour about school finance. We stayed at it for eight years with a series called “Options in Education.” In 1982, I ventured into television with a 7-part series about America’s youth, “Your Children, Our Children.”
I spent five wonderful years as Education Correspondent for The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour on PBS and two years at The Learning Channel. Then, in 1995 we established Learning Matters, the not-for-profit corporation that produces our television and radio/web programs and directs our effort to train youth to create their own public service messages. Read more about John here.
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Anique Halliday • Online Strategy Director
Originally from Texas, I tend to think big. And when I joined Learning Matters, I was happy to find a home with like-minded people. I came here in 2007 to help Learning Matters grow its online audience and since then I’ve managed the re-design of the website (you’re looking at it now!), launched a handful of engaging multimedia projects and remain excited about the great ideas still on the horizon.
Before coming here, I worked in online communications for several international women’s rights organizations and various other nonprofits. My scope is big, but my aim is simple: to convey clearly (and attractively) the missions that power nonprofit work and bring new media tools to organizations working for social change. When I’m not riding my bike or cooking up travel plans, I work with a select group of organizations for their web and social media needs.
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Cat McGrath • Producer
I joined Learning Matters in the fall of 2007 after 6 years in non-fiction programming, working as a Segment and Field Producer in New York City and San Francisco. Before producing for The NewsHour, I worked in NY on a number of programs for The History Channel, including my favorite series, ToolBox, which profiled some of the most remarkable tools ever made. I also worked for A&E on a short form project called This Day In History, a series of 365 brief spots about important events in history. Back in San Francisco, I was very fortunate to associate produce for a local travel show called Bay Area Backroads, that was on the air for 23 years. The show opened my eyes to the importance of preserving open space and exploring the road less traveled.
Prior to my life in television I worked in San Francisco on independent films and music videos and before that in the theater, after completing my degree in theater from Skidmore College, in upstate NY. I am also a welder and took a detour for a few years after my life in the theater to work in metal fabrication. When not at work, my husband and I are lovin’ life with our 3 year old daughter.
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Amanda Morales • Communications and Administrative Director
In 2006 I made a short film about a pair of women who worked for over thirty years to provide free legal assistance to New Yorkers in greatest need. It sparked my interest in the power of documentary work and since I’ve joined Learning Matters, I’ve been constantly inspired by the artistry of my colleagues as well their genuine commitment to youth, families, and education.
I’m fascinated by people, the exchange of ideas, and exploring the ways that new technologies will transform the way we communicate with one another. I’m responsible for connecting the public to our work and to that end I’ve facilitated hundreds of screenings of our documentaries across the country, spearheaded our social media effort, and run our online shop. I also edit our daily blog, where we welcome input from like-minded organizations interested in partnering and exchanging information with us.
Prior to joining Learning Matters, I worked at some of the top art institutions in the world and I continue to be actively involved in the arts community. I write about art, craft, and sustainable design and I’m also a watercolor painter.
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Jane Renaud • Producer
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 LM, 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. I’m currently working on our series following school reform in Washington, DC. When I’m not working, I continue to pursue film projects and am an avid novel-reader.
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Carmen Rojas • Communications Assistant
Originally from California, I studied English in sunny Santa Barbara. Since graduating in 2008, I’ve traveled worldwide, moved cross-country, and developed an unhealthy love for the subway.
Before joining Learning Matters, I tutored university students, worked in book publicity, and made countless cups of coffee as a barista. I’m excited about being part of such a passionate team, and love having the opportunity to spread the word about our work!
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Amanda Thieroff • Production Intern
I am a radio producer, filmmaker, artist, educator and adventurer. Before joining Learning Matters, I’ve worked with young people at youth media organizations in New York City and Portland, Maine, produced documentary features for community radio, taught journalism in juvenile detention in the Bronx, driven a pedicab and served popcorn at the Film Forum. In the future, I hope to travel to Chile, South Africa and Oregon and to tell really great stories with sound.
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John D. Tulenko • Senior Producer/Correspondent
When I joined the staff of The Merrow Report in 1993, we worked out of a tiny office with a staff of three. We’ve come a long way since then- branching out into public radio, the Internet, and of course building our reputation as PBS’s premier series on youth and learning. As a television producer, I am responsible for researching the stories, finding people to interview as well as location scouting. It is a fascinating, sometimes overwhelming job that I’m thankful I don’t have to do alone. Together with John Merrow and our other producers, we frame the issues, looking for ways to make our stories accessible to the widest possible audience. Outside of work, my time belongs to my family- my wife, our children, and our friends and family.
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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.’ Here at Learning Matters 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.
