Teaching Honesty: Dr. Sean D. Foreman on Truth & Integrity

Honesty can be defined as “being truthful in what you say and do.” Practicing honesty helps strengthen our relationships and even reduces stress. It’s not always easy to be honest in our words, actions, or thoughts with others or with ourselves. Practicing Honesty with ourselves allows us to identify, acknowledge, regulate, and advocate for our emotions. For children, honesty also supports the development of assertive communication and self-advocacy skills.

 

This month, we’re excited to explore Honesty alongside Dr. Sean Foreman, proud parent of Luke ‘21 and Cole ‘23.

Dr. Sean D. Foreman teaches history and government at Palmer Trinity School in Palmetto Bay. He is the former Chair of the Department of History and Political Science (2018-2024) at Barry University where he was promoted to Professor of Political Science and now serves as an Adjunct Professor. Dr. Foreman earned a B.A. in Political Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He received his M.A. in International Studies with a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Ph.D. in Political Science focused on American Politics both from Florida International University. (Dr. Foreman was the first person ever to receive a Ph.D. in Political Science from FIU in 2003).

Dr. Foreman is the co-editor of nine books including eight in The Roads to Congress series biennially from 2010 through 2024, and Local Politics and Mayoral Elections in 21st Century America: The Keys to City Hall, as well as author of numerous book chapters and articles on public policy, voting, campaigns and elections.

Along with being the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Award winner at Barry, Dr. Foreman was honored by the Florida Political Science Association (FPSA) with the Manning J. Dauer Award for lifetime service to the professional organization and for excellence in teaching, research, and service to Florida politics in 2025. He is a longtime FPSA Board Member and past president and has served as Secretary since 2015. He is also a past recipient of Florida Campus Compact's Graham-Frey Civic Award and of ASPA-South Florida’s Public Educator of the Year Award. Dr. Foreman served on the Council on Foreign Relations Higher Education Ambassador program in 2023-24 and on the CRF High School Ambassador program from 2005-26. He has been a member of the Florida Advisory Board to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition for more than two decades. Dr. Foreman is quoted in media reports globally and is a guest on local TV and radio shows, an Elections Analyst for WIOD News Radio 610 AM and Political Analyst for NBC6, among other outlets.

 

We all make mistakes, but how we rebound and respond matters. Through this process is how we grow.

Dr. Sean D Foreman, Proud Parent of Luke '21 and Cole '23; History and Government Teacher at Palmer Trinity School

 

To help us as parents foster honesty at home with our children, I asked Dr. Sean Foreman to share his thoughts on how to make honesty a meaningful part of family life. Drawing from his experiences as both a parent and a professor of political science and history, and his research on U.S. politics and elections, state and local government, and the politics and economics of sports, Dr. Foreman offers practical insights into encouraging children and adolescents to live their truth. Let’s jump in.

 

Q: As a high school history teacher, how do you see honesty play a role in understanding the past and learning from it?

Dr. Foreman: History is full of stories that were uncovered slowly over time. We learn of lies or injustices from the past that were used to justify wars or forced inequalities. Teaching about slavery and segregation immediately comes to mind. We need to be truthful about our past. There are many ugly scars in American and world history. But we have to examine them to help us be honest about the range of the human experience and to encourage future generations to do better. 

 

Q: In your experience working with adolescents, how does honesty support accountability, growth, and stronger relationships at school?

Dr. Foreman: The old adage is true: winners never cheat, and cheaters never win. It doesn't pay to cut corners. We encourage our children and our students to act with integrity and simply to do the right thing. Anyway, people don’t like cheaters and they don’t like liars. And, of course, treat others like you want to be treated. It is healthier to be personally responsible and it helps to build stronger trust and relationships and to have a happier life. But, on the other hand, it is also important for children to know that cheating and cutting corners will not be tolerated by their schools or by their parents. Ethical behavior has to be encouraged, modeled, and reinforced at home. This way we can help build better citizens and more responsible community members. 

 

Q: How can families encourage children to value truth and integrity in a world where information can be incomplete or misleading?

Dr. Foreman: Communication is key. We have to talk with our children about the chance for them to encounter misinformation and the importance of doing their fact checking.  At our dinner table at home we stress to our kids that you should always do the right thing. That includes telling the truth to their friends and to adults and always acting with integrity. We remind our boys that when you go out into the world you represent the Foreman name and the family reputation as well as their own. It is just as important when you represent your team or your school that you act with citizenship and sportsmanship which includes being an honest competitor. It takes a long time to earn a positive reputation but only moments to destroy it by making a wrong decision which includes acting dishonestly. 

 

Q: What historical figures or moments do you often reference when discussing honesty, courage, and moral decision-making with students?

Dr. Foreman: George Washington comes to mind with the childhood lesson that he said ‘I cannot tell a lie’ though that story is a myth which became a great national lie. But the message is enduring. It is important to act with integrity and honesty and that helps to shape a leader. Sometimes in history lies were reasonable. Franklin D. Roosevelt was in a wheelchair but the government covered it up by positioning him in pictures to hide the chair and the fact that he had the debilitating disease of polio. It allowed the U.S. leader - and by extension, the nation - to still look strong even during a time of great personal weakness. Sometimes this happens during war, too. Tough decisions had to be made such as deciding to make and use atomic weapons. These are good lessons to use as case studies to show that sometimes great courage is needed to make tough decisions.

 

Q: How does learning to be honest about mistakes, both personal and historical, help students develop critical thinking and empathy?

Dr. Foreman: This is a great question because it is where the real work occurs and where we can encourage efforts toward growth. In life, it is through trial and error. We all make mistakes, but how we rebound and respond matters. Through this process is how we grow. Empathy is a mind set that can be developed over time. Sometimes it takes making multiple mistakes to learn how to better understand yourself and others. When we see how our actions can bring harm or disappointment or even pain to other people is when we start to realize the importance of honesty in our relationships. 

 

Q: What advice would you give families about nurturing honesty as children grow from early elementary years into adolescence?

Dr. Foreman: Start early. Try to set a good example. It is hard to do. It is easy to live by ‘do as I say and not as I do’ but our kids are always watching and listening to how we handle situations in our lives so be mindful of the example you - and others close to your children - are setting. Most of all, be honest to your children whenever you can.