
A Slice with 'Dice
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice shares personal reflections, lessons learned, and insights from the ever-evolving world of education in Arkansas and beyond.
Episodes
65 episodes
Why Do We "Unlearn" Creativity?
By the time we’re adults, most of us have unlearned the very thing that made us brilliant as kids: our creativity. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the groundbreaking research of George Land and Beth Jarman, which ...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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7:48

The Benefit of Breaking a Bone (Figuratively!)
Challenges aren't setbacks—they're setups for future success. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the insightful "Never Broke a Bone" Theory, highlighting why students need to encounter and learn from manageable hardships d...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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6:59

Avoiding “Michael Scott” Moments in School Leadership
Ever had a great idea for your school that ended up feeling more Michael Scott than Steve Jobs? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why even the best intentions in school leadership can sometimes lead to unexpected—and awkw...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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5:06

STEM Starts Here: The Importance of Middle School Math Acceleration
Why are some middle schoolers racing ahead in math while others never get the chance to start the race? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the importance of expanding access to accelerated math courses in middle school and the co...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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7:31

Effort Builds Excellence: The Role of Friction in Learning
We live in a world designed for convenience—one-click shopping, instant answers, and seamless technology. But when it comes to education, could making things too easy be doing more harm than good? ASMSA Executive D...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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8:19

Why the “Let Them” Mindset Matters for Schools
Hoodies, ripped jeans, and dyed hair—could letting these go actually help your school thrive? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how the "Let Them" theory, which advocates choosing trust and connection over control, can tr...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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6:13

Helping Students Hear “Not Yet” Instead of “No”
What if an admissions decision wasn't a verdict but a catalyst for growth? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how reframing admissions outcomes from “no” to “not yet” can help students adopt a growth mindset. Drawing on in...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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5:50

AI, Affordability, and Anxiety: Students Share College Hopes and Fears
The stress is real, the debt feels daunting, and dreams have a price tag—but today's high school students are still optimistic about their college journey. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the surprising insights from The Princ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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8:23

Closing the U.S. Department of Education is Easier Said Than Done
Closing the U.S. Department of Education might seem straightforward, but it’s far more complicated than many realize. Amid renewed discussions sparked by the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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9:52

A Two-Week Pause: ASMSA's COVID Response Five Years Later
March 12, 2020, began as an ordinary Thursday—but ended as a turning point that marked the beginning of a profound journey of resilience, adaptation, and innovation. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice reflects on the day the campus first ...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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6:02

Embracing the Energies: Navigating Overexcitabilities in Gifted Kids
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the fascinating world of overexcitabilities in gifted children—those heightened responses to life that make these students so unique. We'll delve into what overexcitabilities are, how they manif...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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8:23

Homework Without the Headache: Why Less is More
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores groundbreaking research on homework and its impact on student achievement, particularly in mathematics and science. The study reveals that frequent, short homework assignments are just as effect...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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7:33

From Carrots to Curiosity: Transforming Student Motivation
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice dives into the transformative power of intrinsic motivation in education, exploring how fostering a love of learning can lead to deeper engagement, creativity, and long-term success. Drawing on insights ...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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6:53

Student Frustration, Packets, and the Meme That Says It All
Some memes are just jokes. Others are a wake-up call. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the viral Friggin’ Packet Yo meme and what it reveals about student frust...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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5:59

Why Struggle in STEM is a Sign of Success, Not Failure
Struggle isn’t a sign you’re not cut out for STEM—it’s proof that you’re on the right path. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how the way students perceive failure can shape their success in advanced STEM courses. Drawing on res...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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7:40

No, Your Gifted Program Wasn’t a Government Experiment
TikTok has found a new conspiracy theory—this time, it’s about gifted education. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the viral trend that claims GATE programs were secret government experiments, why these myths resonate with forme...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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6:38

Ganbatte! Lessons in Resilience for School Leaders
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the concept of ganbatte, a Japanese philosophy of resilience and steady effort, as presented in Albert Liebermann’s book Ganbatte! The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward. Ap...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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7:29

Revolutionizing Schools One Slice at a Time: The Two-Pizza Rule
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how Jeff Bezos' "Two-Pizza Rule," a principle that transformed Amazon's approach to teamwork, can be applied to educational leadership. By keeping teams small, focused, and empowered, school lea...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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6:37

Chipotlefication and School Choice Unwrapped
Burritos, black beans, and biology class—who knew they’d have so much in common? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how “Chipotlefication” is changing the way students learn and choose their educational paths during
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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10:05

When Timing, Mood, and Luck Decide Your College Fate
Think you control your college admissions fate? Think again. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the arbitrary factors that shape how applications are reviewed, from the timing of when your file is read to the mood of the admissio...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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7:08

Why Asking for Help Feels Hard for Gifted Students—And How to Change It
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why gifted students often find it difficult to ask for help, even when they’re struggling. We delve into the cultural and psychological factors that contribute to this reluctance, including perf...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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8:20

Influencers in the Classroom: Exploring Degrees for Digital Content Creators
What if your college major could prepare you for a career as a social media influencer? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the emergence of degrees tailored to the creator economy, starting with Arkansas Tech University’s new pro...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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8:43

What 21 High Schools Reveal About Harvard’s Admissions Process
ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice unpacks the startling statistic that 1 in 11 Harvard undergraduates come from just 21 high schools. We explore the concept of "feeder schools," their outsized role in shaping access to elite universities...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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7:42

AP for Everyone: Lessons from Arkansas’ Universal Access Program
Advanced Placement (AP) courses can open doors to college and beyond, but is universal access enough to ensure equity? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the successes and challenges of Arkansas’s universal AP access policy, high...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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8:41

Early Decision 2: Second Chance or Panic Button?
Is Early Decision 2 (ED2) a strategic second chance or a panic move? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the emotional and financial risks of binding ED2 applications, especially for students still reeling from Early Decision 1 (E...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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6:46
