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PODCAST

A Slice with "Dice

Corey Alderdice

ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice shares personal reflections, lessons learned, and insights from the ever-evolving world of education in Arkansas and beyond.

education personal journals

All Episodes

9:05

Gifted, Grinding, and Missing the Moment

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/20

What if gifted students aren’t thriving—but simply surviving? In a culture where busyness is worn like a badge of honor, many high-achieving students are burning out before they even get started. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the pervasive influence of grind culture on gifted students, how it distorts their sense of self-worth, disconnects them from the present moment, and ultimately robs them of the full value of their educational experience. Drawing from candid con...

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4:07

Moving Toward Clarity

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/16

Clarity doesn’t always arrive with a lightning bolt—it tends to whisper, revealing itself slowly through moments, conversations, and reflection. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how seasons of transition challenge our desire for quick answers and immediate resolution. In this episode, he reflects on why clarity is less about arriving at a final answer and more about trusting the gradual process of discovery. Through the lens of personal insight and professional dialogue, Core...

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5:56

This School Year Won’t Be the Same—And That’s the Point

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/13

The school year may start with bells and routines, but what it really signals is a new transition—for students, teachers, and entire institutions. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how each academic year is less a continuation and more a transformation, drawing on insights from Bruce Feiler’s Life Is in the Transitions to reflect on change as both inevitable and essential. As schools across Arkansas and the nation open their doors, Alderdice challenges educators and...

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8:28

Admissions Officers are Casting a Play, Not Grading a...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/06

Think Vanderbilt is your backup plan? Think again. As selective colleges outside the Ivy League become even harder to get into, the admissions game is shifting in unexpected ways. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how schools like Rice, WashU, Emory, and Northwestern—often called the “New Ivies”—have turned the idea of a safety school on its head. In this episode, you'll learn why traditional application strategies no longer guarantee success, why perfect students sometimes ge...

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7:15

Navigating Leadership's Invisible Bank Account

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/02

Leadership might be like managing a bank account you didn't even know you had—and every tough decision comes with a withdrawal. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the concept of leadership as a declining balance, explaining how trust and goodwill gradually erode with difficult decisions, even amid meaningful successes. He discusses practical ways leaders can strategically manage their "goodwill account," emphasizing intentional decision-making, clear communication, coalition-bu...

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6:04

Why Do Students Love AP Calculus but Not AP French?

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/07/30

Why do students rave about AP Calculus but groan through AP Italian? It turns out, the reasons go deeper than just tough exams or tricky homework. A recent Education Week article, drawing on new data from The College Board, reveals which AP courses students find most and least satisfying—and why their experiences vary so widely. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores what makes some AP classes resonate while others fall flat, how the College Board is planning to address these...

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4:52

From Rough Drafts to Runways: How Risk Beats Perfection

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/07/26

What if doing it “worst” is actually the smartest move you can make? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how perfectionism holds so many gifted students back from ever taking the first step. Drawing inspiration from the Wright Brothers—who technically built the worst airplane in the world simply because they were the first—Corey unpacks why getting something down on paper, however rough, is the true spark of progress. This episode is a reminder that history doesn’t remember the ...

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8:00

The Five Faces of Perfectionism

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/07/24

Perfectionism can be both a gift and a challenge, especially for gifted students. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores insights from Katherine Morgan Schafler’s The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, delving into how perfectionism manifests in five distinct ways. The episode unpacks how these types of perfectionism connect to the experiences of gifted students and the unique challenges they face. It concludes with actionable advice for parents and educators to help gifted l...

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11:39

Five Hidden Traps That Trip Up Selective College...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/07/16

Don’t let your dream college pass you by! ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why selective schools sometimes reject outstanding candidates, how factors like your location and academic rigor come into play, and how you can fine-tune your story to stand out in a sea of applicants. For additional thoughts from Director Alderdice, visit coreyalderdice.com. You can also follow Alderdice on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads. Learn more about ASMSA a...

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7:57

Building a Culture Teachers Stay For

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/07/12

What does a Disneyland pass have to do with teacher retention? More than you might think. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how Shonda Rhimes’ headline-making departure from ABC over a seemingly trivial perk reveals deeper truths about respect, trust, and feeling valued—and why those same dynamics play out every day in our schools. Drawing a surprising parallel to the recent University of Arkansas OEP study on teacher retention, this episode unpacks how small gestures and offh...

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7:45

Arkansas Teachers: Retention Realities and What Comes...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/07/09

A pay raise can catch attention—but it takes more than a bigger paycheck to keep teachers in the classroom. As Arkansas wrestles with teacher retention, the latest report from the University of Arkansas’s Office for Education Policy reveals both encouraging gains and stubborn challenges that local leaders can’t afford to ignore. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the findings of this new statewide study, breaks down why compensation alone isn’t the silver bullet, and highlights...

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5:46

The 2025 Report Card: How Students Grade America’s...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/07/02

Students are turning the tables—and handing out the grades this time. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the findings of the 2025 Report Card: Student Perspective on U.S. Schools, a national survey from the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup that asks students in grades 6 through 12 to evaluate their own school experience. From the steady rise in satisfaction with core academics to the continued disconnect between classroom learning and real-world preparation, the results offe...

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5:55

Enrollment Roulette: When Colleges Start Bidding Late

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/06/28

Just when you thought it was safe to hit “submit” and move on… the merit aid emails came back. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the surprising late-spring scholarship surge from Syracuse University and what it signals about a shifting admissions landscape. In this episode, he breaks down how yield management, dynamic pricing, and delayed decision-making are reshaping the college search—and what rising seniors in the Class of 2026 need to know as they prepare to navigate...

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7:13

From Silly to Signature: How MIT’s Pirate Certificate...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/06/25

Even the most elite campuses need a little nonsense now and then—just ask the MIT pirates. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how whimsical traditions like MIT’s Pirate Certificate create lasting campus culture, build community, and remind us that learning is about joy as much as achievement. Drawing lessons for specialized schools and beyond, this episode unpacks why a bit of playful recognition might just be the secret ingredient for a vibrant, connected campus experience. Fo...

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8:02

Success Addiction: A Gifted Student’s Dilemma

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/06/21

What happens when achievement becomes an identity—and success turns into something we can’t stop chasing? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the idea of “success addiction” as framed by Arthur C. Brooks in The Atlantic and applies it to the lives of gifted and talented high school students. In this episode, Alderdice examines how the relentless pursuit of excellence can compromise well-being, joy, and self-worth—especially in high-pressure academic environments. He offers...

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9:29

ACT Rebooted: How to Ace the New Format

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/06/18

The ACT is getting a major makeover in 2025—but is shorter really sweeter when it comes to standardized testing? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the significant changes rolling out for the ACT exam, breaking down the streamlined test format, the flexibility of optional sections, and the benefits these changes bring for students and colleges alike. Corey also offers practical, clear-eyed advice for rising seniors who’ve been prepping with the old format, outlining exactly how...

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5:34

Conducting Schools: Navigating Noise and Staying on...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/06/14

It’s tempting for school leaders to keep one eye on public approval, especially when every decision seems to spark strong opinions. But true leadership, like conducting an orchestra, means focusing on the people and work right in front of you—guiding with purpose, even when your back is to the crowd. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why mission-driven leadership requires tuning out the noise, staying aligned with your vision, and keeping students at the heart of every decisio...

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8:34

Notes from the Quad: How to Turn Campus Visits into...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/06/11

ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how students and families can make the most of college campus visits. Inspired by Danielle C. Marshall’s The College Visit Journal: Campus Visits Demystified, we delve into practical tips for preparing, asking the right questions, and capturing the sensory experiences of campus life. We discuss how to engage with tour guides, connect with current students, and reflect on what really matters when choosing a college. Whether you’re touring in pe...

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7:09

Strategic Stops: How to Invest Wisely in Your High...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/06/04

Ever realize you're heading full-speed in the wrong direction but hesitate to jump off? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the wisdom behind the Japanese proverb, “If you get on the wrong train, get off at the nearest station,” applying it specifically to high school students navigating extracurricular activities. The episode dives into why trying numerous interests early in high school is valuable, but emphasizes the importance of strategically stepping away from commitments t...

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7:58

Turning Comparison into Inspiration: A Guide for...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/05/28

Comparison doesn’t have to be the thief of joy—it can be a spark for growth. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how gifted and talented students can turn the instinct to compare themselves to peers into a source of inspiration. Drawing on insights from Rick Hanson’s Resilient, the episode dives into the mindset shifts and practical strategies that help students build resilience, focus on personal growth, and thrive in high-achieving environments. For additional thoughts from ...

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111 results

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