At Light of Christ School, an elementary and junior high school in northeast Calgary, something powerful is happening. You can feel it the moment you walk through the doors. While not a new program or initiative in the traditional sense, there’s a clear shift in language and mindset that is reshaping how students and staff experience each day.
It’s all about a simple reframe, moving from “I have to” to “I get to.”
This idea, inspired by Dr. Matthew Arau’s book Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond, started as professional curiosity and has grown into a shared way of being in our school community.
Building the foundation
Our journey toward the “upbeat” mindset began with a staffwide book study of Arau’s book. As educators, we gathered in our professional learning communities (PLCs) not just to read, but to reflect. We asked ourselves honest questions: What does this mindset look like in practice? How do we model it authentically for students? How do we move beyond surface-level positivity to something deeper and more meaningful?
These conversations became a cornerstone of our professional culture. They shifted how we were speaking to our students, to one another and even to ourselves. Increasingly, teachers are saying, “I get to support this learner,” or “I get to try a new approach.” Such small shifts in language carry profound meaning. They remind us of the joy and privilege of teaching.
This work is not about ignoring challenges or forcing positivity. We recognize that both teaching and learning can be complex and demanding. Instead, it is about choice.
We may not control everything that happens in a day, but we can influence how we respond. When a student says, “I get to learn something new today,” or a teacher reflects, “I get to make a difference,” the language signals something deeper. It reflects a mindset rooted in growth, resilience and hope.
Sustaining the shift
To ensure this mindset shift is not a passing initiative, we have intentionally built structures that sustain and celebrate it.
First, the consistency in leadership has been a defining strength of this journey. Our principal, Mrs. MacMullin, plays a central role in keeping this work visible and meaningful. Second, a dedicated Upbeat Committee leads ongoing initiatives and keeps the work visible across the school.
Morning announcements now feature student voices sharing what they “get to” do each day, setting a tone of gratitude and possibility. Student-created visuals, displayed prominently throughout the school, reflect not just understanding but ownership of the mindset. The school counsellor, Mr. Crossley, gave a conducting and piano performance to demonstrate to students how they can identify, explore, manage and regulate their thoughts, feelings and behaviours to develop a healthy and positive state of mind. Finally, the weekly staff bulletin includes UPBEAT News, a space to celebrate successes, recognize effort and highlight moments of positivity among staff.
Individually, these practices are simple. Together, they create a culture where encouragement is intentional and shared.
In December 2025, the school was fortunate to welcome Dr. Arau to see his work in practice. His visit was both affirming and energizing. Seeing the Upbeat philosophy reflected in our classrooms and hallways reinforced something important: this work is not theoretical. It is practical, relational and deeply human. It lives in the language we use, the relationships we build and the choices we make each day.
Looking ahead
Light of Christ is now one of 10 schools in the Calgary Catholic School District recognized as an “Upbeat School.” For us, this designation is not about a label, but about a shared commitment: cultivating optimism, resilience and intentional positivity across all aspects of school life.
The Upbeat journey at Light of Christ continues to evolve. What began as a shared reading experience has become a shared identity that shapes how we teach, lead and connect. As we move forward, our commitment remains clear: to nurture a school culture where each student and staff member feels a sense of possibility in their day not because they must be there, but because they get to be.
In our school community, we are working to foster a space where you do not simply go through the motions of education but, instead, embrace the privilege of it.
