Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership Workshop at SHS

When SHS Choir Director Rachel Glenister met Dr. Arau and read his book Upbeat!: Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership, she immediately thought of our Sharon Community. Within our alumni network, community, and student body, we have an incredible number of aspiring leaders. Students are dedicated and committed to seeing their communities of interest thrive, and many go on to become leaders at high caliber institutions of learning, in their professional lives, and in their communities. Yet, many experience challenges in their roles and high levels of stress and anxiety. Students with official “titles” often have opportunities to attend conferences, such as sports captains, to develop these skills while others rarely have a chance to do so; Upbeat! offers SHS students the chance to participate among their peers and see how they can tap their own potential to grow and impact our community directly.

The entire Sharon community recognized the value of this type of course through incredible financial support! Donations from every area of our school and community made this event free of charge for all SHS students who had a desire to learn more about leadership.
We are all so very grateful to those who made this happen for our students:

• Anonymous Donor through PTSO
• Sharon PTSO
• Sharon Education Foundation
• Sharon Friends of Arts and Music Education
• Sharon Athletics Boosters
• SHS Tri-M Music Honor Society
• SHS Team Rival
• SHS Student Council
• The Chen Family

Students enthusiastically participated in team-building exercises, such as the invisible ball activity, “chamber group” discussions, and communication circles, and reflected meaningfully in a workbook provided as part of the course. Students noted surprising data that offered a deeper understanding of how to navigate challenging situations as part of a team or club. For example, students learned that people who appear harsh to others are most likely harsher on themselves and that 80% of people’s thoughts are negative. The GET to-do list, thermostat versus thermometer metaphor, and hand clasp change activity made students aware of their own power to choose to be a catalyst for change and set the tone rather than be influenced by any negative person(s) dominating a given environment. Additionally, students practiced using breathing techniques to support group management as a way to alter the tone of a group and mitigate detracting behavior or conversation. Kari, SHS ‘25 observed: “I think we tend to get blindsided by our emotions, but having a good strategy for resolving conflicts may help to ease tensions.” Students often report how challenging it can be as a student leader to bring peers to a more collaborative point; simple strategies empower students to be that change.

Dr. Arau stressed the importance of celebrating each other and ourselves with various clapping activities. Akshat, SHS ‘26 notes how this lesson might be useful with peers: “By showing interest in others, you will gain their interest and respect in return” and that "what you give to others is what they give back (fastball vs slowball example).”

Students are already putting some strategies into action as they plan team-building activities for next week's 8th grade visit to the high school!

The SHS faculty received a condensed version of Dr. Arau’s student workshop to learn what activities the students experienced so that teachers can build upon the Upbeat! mindset and communicate with the same language to empower students to be accountable for their own habits and behaviors as aspiring leaders in the classroom, on the athletic field, in student government, performing arts, clubs, and service activities.

Dr. Matthew Arau, an Associate Professor of Music and the Chair of the Music Education Department and Symphonic Band Conductor at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Dr. Arau also serves as Leadership Editor for GIA Publications, a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician, and the monthly Leadership Tips contributor to SB&O+ Magazine. Additionally, is on the graduate conducting faculty of the American Band College of Central Washington University and graduate music education faculty at VanderCook College of Music. Learn more about him here: www.upbeatglobal.com.

Want to learn about choosing your Upbeat! mindset in your own life?
Check out Dr. Arau’s book here .

Eagle Testimonials from Upbeat Workshop (June 5, 2024)

“I learned about just how much information our brains takes in and the minuscule amount of that information that we actually internalize. By shifting what we pay attention to, we can change our attitude, which can change actions.” (Ankita, SHS ‘25).

“This workshop showed me how to take the next step and actually act on achieving my goals rather than sitting around and waiting. This was a great experience and taught me how to enhance my skills as a leader towards younger kids where I would act as a role model, as well as being that role model figure towards my peers.” (Julia, SHS ‘25).

“I would tell my peers to check out Upbeat because many people need a pick-me-up within themselves and for others.” (Shruthi, SHS ‘25).
“I can be the person to branch out and open up the group. I can be the person who brings people in and communicates. I can change how I look at things. [The Upbeat program is] a great way to interact and sit with people you might not talk to and learn some more strategies on how to be more confident and be a good leader. It’s about expanding your mindset.” (Savitha, SHS ‘26).
Why did we run this event?
“I have never attended leadership workshops or development based workshops before, so I am excited about this opportunity and will enthusiastically participate so that I can take away as much knowledge and apply it to everything I do as a leader, student, peer, and friend.” (Charlotte, SHS ‘25)
“It is such an honor to be nominated for a workshop especially for leadership. I think this is such a great opportunity. I would love to learn more leadership skills so I am able to inspire my fellow classmates and be a role model for others. I am also interested in this workshop because I am hoping to become a Captain on my sports team, and leadership is very important in my sport, my academic career, and my life in general." (Kapri, SHS ‘26)
“I want to learn how to be a better leader in choir, life, and other opportunities in the future. I love our community at SHS and I would love to help myself in being more confident in my leadership skills in order to benefit our community.” (Ushta, SHS ‘25)