About Look Listen and Learn

Val Thomas-Matson, founder of Look, Listen and Learn, holds more than two decades of experience in television and community advocacy.

As a King County community organizer for 15 years, Thomas-Matson helped neighborhood groups develop solutions for issues they had identified. Her efforts emphasized community problem solving and included drug and alcohol prevention, after-school and homework programs and block watches.

In 2002, during her tenure at King County, she began producing and hosting Communities in Action, a monthly public affairs television program that aired for three years on King County’s government channel. The show highlighted local community efforts ranging from juvenile justice and crime prevention to youth groups and coalition building. Her guests included former U.S. Surgeon General Joceyln Elders, on parenting and health, and author Antwone Fisher, on making a difference in the lives of young people.

During the 2000 census, on loan from King County, Thomas-Matson worked in community outreach for the U.S. Census Bureau, coordinating census efforts with the King County Executive Office.

Her broadcast career started at 1981 at King Broadcasting. She worked on Flash, a teen show on King 5 as a segment producer, where she interviewed kid talent, researched copy and prepared sets. She became the Audience Relations coordinator for Good Company, a morning show on hot local topics. She also worked as a floor director and public service announcement coordinator.

Thomas-Matson earned her B.A. in Broadcast Communications and Early Childhood Development at Western Washington University.

Thomas-Matson left her job at King County in 2007 to develop Look, Listen and Learn. Her freelance experience includes voice work and media consulting. She has met Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and worked with Bill Nye the Science Guy. She works part time as an executive producer for North by Northwest Productions.

Thomas-Matson hosts Look, Listen and Learn as Auntie Lena. Her sidekick is a puppet, Possum, played by a Thistle Theatre hand puppeteer who is educated in early childhood development. Thomas-Matson also leads a dedicated creative and production team devoted to furthering the mission of Look, Listen and Learn. The show is taped on location at local venues such as the Seattle Children’s Museum or a neighborhood library.

“I want to inspire children to be curious about their world,” says Thomas-Matson. “You can’t get to Sesame Street but you can get to the places you’ll see on Look, Listen and Learn.”

Please join us in our efforts to bring educational programming that is local, smart and accessible to all families and children in King County.

 

You may also send a donation to:
The Shunpike,
c/o Look, Listen and Learn!
3518 Fremont Avenue North #118
Seattle, WA, 98103

Thank you for your encouragement and support!

E-mail: looklistenandlearn@msn.com

Mailing address:

Look Listen & Learn
100 Andover Park West, Suite 150-121
Tukwila, WA, 98188

Phone: 206-293-8860 of Producer/Host Val Thomas-Matson

Shunpike, a 501©(3) non-profit organization has partnered with Look, Listen and Learn as our fiscal sponsor. This means that your donation to Look, Listen and Learn will be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donations can be made via check. Please make payment to Shunpike and include Look, Listen and Learn in the memo line.