ThinkCraft with Ali Shana

In this episode of ThinkCraft, Ali sits down with higher ed leader Teege Mettile to unpack why college is “broken.” From skyrocketing costs and enrollment declines to the erosion of trust in higher ed’s value, they discuss systemic issues and potential reforms. SUBSTACK, PODCAST, YOUTUBE, & SOCIALS: https://allmylinks.com/thinkcraft Get full access to ThinkCraft at alireporting.substack.com/subscr...

In this solo episode of ThinkCraft, I unpack the Trump administration’s plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education following a Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for mass layoffs and structural changes. We explore the two-pronged approach: * Gutting traditional functions — like managing student loans, investigating discrimination cases, funding low-income schools and students with...

In this episode of ThinkCraft , I sit down with Robin Gates, a Milwaukee-based nursing educator and director with over 27 years of experience in the field. Recently named one of ATL Plus Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women , Robin has worn many hats—ER nurse, hospice worker, clinical trials coordinator, transplant team member, and now a professor and PhD student in education policy. Across all of it...

On July 9th, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was signed into law. The presidential administration has praised it as a budget breakthrough that simplifies federal aid. But in practice, this bill fundamentally redraws who can afford to attend graduate school—and who can’t. In this solo episode of ThinkCraft, I break down what the bill actually does, who it affects, and why the name may be more dist...

In this debut episode of ThinkCraft , I speak with Irma Castaneda, a Special Education Dean at a K-12 Milwaukee charter school district, about what it takes to lead with compassion, grit, and clarity in special education today. Irma reflects on her path from teacher to dean, the hybrid nature of her role balancing behavior, academics, and school culture, and why so many critical aspects of SPED—li...