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, explainin...

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, reve...

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 Wri...

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 i...

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...

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 deepe...

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,

Students are turning the tables—and handing out the grades this time. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the findings of the

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 sign...

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 comm...

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 At...

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 st...

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 yo...

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 ti...

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 stat...

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 inspira...

Calculus is often seen as the crown jewel of high school math—but what if that jewel isn't always as valuable as we've been led to believe? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why Calculus holds such prominence in the math ...

In remarks to ASMSA's Class of 2025, Executive Director Corey Alderdice shares an inspiring reflection on resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of small actions. Drawing from the remarkable story of recovery at Mount St. Helens...

Are you guiding your gifted child—or gripping the wheel too tightly? In this episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how common parenting styles like helicoptering, lawnmowing, and tiger-parenting can unintentionally h...

We’ve all felt the pressure to keep every ball in the air—but what if some of them are okay to drop? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how gifted students can break free from perfectionism by learning to tell the differen...

What really makes a college application stand out when everyone has outstanding grades and test scores? It’s the story behind the numbers. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how community impact, healthy risk-taking, and g...

Mistakes aren't just inevitable—they're essential. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how embracing thoughtful, intentional mistakes as "research" can transform school leadership and educational culture. He shares insights...

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 ...

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...

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...