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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

11:12

Catalytic Agency Ep. 6 - Equity, Policy, and the Call...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/11/01

Equity in gifted education requires more than resources — it begins with listening carefully to dissatisfaction across all student groups. Policies and practices must ensure that every intentionality is met with the right opportunities. In episode six of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice draws the series to a close by connecting the Catalytic Agency Model to equity and policy. He argues that while Transitional students are often visible, Transformational, Typical, a...

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12:09

Catalytic Agency Ep. 5 - The Heart of the Model

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/29

Some students demand more than piecemeal solutions — their dissatisfaction is comprehensive, spanning rigor, belonging, and context. These Catalytic students are rare, but when matched with the right environments, they can transform themselves and their schools. In episode five of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the concept of Catalytic Agency in depth, positioning it as the heart of the model and a new way of thinking about gifted education. He explains ...

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11:25

Catalytic Agency Ep. 4 - The Levers of Practice:...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/25

Recognizing dissatisfaction is only half the work; the other half is knowing how to act on it. Schools can respond with three core levers — but only when sequenced wisely do these interventions close satisfaction gaps. In episode four of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the three levers of practice — acceleration, elevation, and separation — that educators can use to respond to dissatisfaction. Drawing from classroom and program examples, he explains how a...

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12:30

Catalytic Agency Ep. 3 - Paradigms of Gifted Student...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/22

When intentionalities blend, they form distinct paradigms of student experience — each carrying its own risks and opportunities. Understanding these blends can help educators design responses that truly match students’ needs. In episode three of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice examines the three main paradigms of student experience — Transitional, Transformational, and Typical — before introducing Catalytic Agency as the integrative force at the center. He illustr...

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10:39

Catalytic Agency Ep. 2 - Eclipse, Evolve, and Escape

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/18

Students express dissatisfaction in different ways — some want more rigor, others long for belonging, while still others need a whole new context. Recognizing these intentionalities helps educators respond with precision rather than guesswork. In episode two of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the three intentionalities that shape student dissatisfaction: Eclipse, Evolve, and Escape. Through vivid examples, he shows how Eclipse students hunger for harder c...

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8:28

Catalytic Agency Ep. 1 - The Signal of Dissatisfaction

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/15

Every student has moments of restlessness in school, but what if that dissatisfaction isn’t a problem to solve — what if it’s the clearest sign of readiness to grow? By reframing dissatisfaction as a signal, educators can uncover hidden pathways of student agency. In episode one of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the idea of the “satisfaction gap” — the distance between what students are experiencing and what they believe they need to thrive. Rather than s...

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5:08

PSAT = Practice? Nope. Here’s Why It Matters.

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/11

For many juniors, the PSAT feels like a dress rehearsal for the SAT—a low-stakes warm-up that doesn’t really matter. But hidden behind that “practice” label is one of the biggest scholarship opportunities in high school. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why students shouldn’t blow off the PSAT this October, unpacking how it serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and why that distinction matters. He explains how the National Merit Index Score differs from the...

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7:37

What Training with a World Arm Wrestling Champion...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/08

In school, failure is often treated as something to be avoided at all costs. But what if failure is actually the very thing that unlocks growth? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice reflects on his recent training journey with former world champion arm wrestler Monster Michael Todd, drawing parallels between strength training and the growth mindset educators seek to instill in students. Along the way, he explores how small, incremental progress matters more than sweeping changes, why fail...

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2:42

Coming Soon: The Catalytic Agency Model of Talent...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/04

Why do gifted, talented, and motivated students leave behind the comfort of home, their local schools, and the friends and teachers they’ve known for years to take on something more demanding and more challenging? The answer, at its heart, comes down to dissatisfaction. In this six-part special series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice introduces the Catalytic Agency Model of Talent Development, a new framework shaped by two decades of working with gifted learners. Across the episodes,...

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9:02

Early Decision, Regular Decision, and the Rest: What...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/10/01

College admissions come with a dictionary’s worth of terms, but not all pathways are created equal. From binding commitments to open access, each one shapes the journey differently. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the major types of college admissions—Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, Rolling Admission, and more—breaking down what each option means, who they work best for, and how students can navigate them with clarity and confidence. For additional thoughts...

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16:41

Five Questions for a Strong Common App Essay

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/09/24

College and scholarship essays shouldn’t read like résumés in disguise. They should read like a small, true story that changed how you see the world—told clearly, humbly, and in your own voice. In this double-sized episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores five guiding questions to help you choose a specific scene in context, blend action with reflection, echo your opening in the close, and connect your growth to goals and concrete college fit—so admissions and scholarship r...

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7:30

100 Slices Later… Still Hungry for More!

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/09/20

No clip show. No celebrity drop-ins. No tear-filled montage set to soft piano. Just slice number 100 served hot and ready. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice looks back and ahead, exploring the threads that have shaped the podcast so far and why the best conversations are still to come. For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com. You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

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6:15

"Surf Dracula" and Why Students Need to Catch Waves...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/09/17

Prestige TV has given us a new metaphor for education: Surf Dracula. The idea comes from a viral critique of shows that delay their own premise—spending entire seasons on backstory before ever letting the main character do the thing the audience tuned in for. In education, we fall into the same trap when students are told to sit through endless setup before they ever get to “surf” for themselves. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how the Surf Dracula problem shows up in classr...

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7:33

The Largest AP Course Launch in History — And Why It...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/09/13

In its first year, AP Precalculus drew over 184,000 students — the largest launch in AP history — and reached learners often left out of advanced math. It’s opening doors for first-generation, Black, Hispanic, rural, and later-starting students who didn’t take Algebra I or Geometry in middle school. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how the course is reshaping the calculus pathway. For younger students, it’s a springboard to AP Calculus and other STEM classes; for senior...

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6:38

Therapy Language and Social Media: The Double-Edged...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/09/10

The language of therapy is everywhere — from TikTok feeds to hallway conversations. Young people are learning to name their feelings and advocate for themselves like never before. But with that new vocabulary comes a risk: overgeneralizing, self-diagnosing, and shutting down dialogue before it starts. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the double-edged sword of gaining mental health frameworks through social media — how it empowers, how it complicates, and what it means f...

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7:52

How “Brag Sheets” Help Your Recommenders Help You

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/09/06

Recommendation letters can make or break a college or scholarship application, yet many fall flat simply because the recommender doesn’t have enough detail to work with. That’s where a brag sheet comes in. In this episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the purpose of brag sheets, what to include, and how they transform vague, generic letters into powerful, personal endorsements. From highlighting academic interests and extracurricular impact to sharing character traits and...

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10:19

Equity, Law, and the Future of Selective Admissions...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/09/03

The debate over admissions at selective public high schools has never been more urgent. With cases like Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia and Stuyvesant High School in New York drawing national attention, the question remains: how do these schools balance excellence with equity in an era where traditional methods are under legal and cultural scrutiny? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how selective schools can navigate the fallout of recent court decisions, why “merit” ...

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6:27

First Month Finished: A Gifted Parent’s Moment to...

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/30

The first month of school is when excitement gives way to routine, and for gifted students that often brings a mix of confidence, pressure, and hidden struggles. In this episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice reflects on why now is the right time for parents to pause and check in with their students. He explores how families can open space for honest conversations about academics, friendships, and well-being—not as an interrogation, but as an invitation to share and be supported. F...

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8:50

Is This the Best Year in a Decade to Apply to the Ivies?

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/27

For the first time in years, the Ivy League admissions cycle may actually feel a little less brutal. Shifts in international enrollment, standardized testing, and demographics are reshaping the landscape — and the Class of 2026 could be in a better position than recent applicants. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why this year’s high school seniors might face slightly improved odds: International enrollment is projected to decline due to visa restrictions, leaving more seats ...

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5:56

Why Readiness Is a Choice, Not a Feeling

A Slice with "Dice ·

2025/08/23

The beginning of a school year can feel overwhelming — new classes, higher expectations, and the pressure to be perfectly prepared. But waiting to “feel ready” only delays growth. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why readiness is not about certainty or perfection but about choosing to step forward, even when doubts remain. For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com. You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

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111 results

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