Meet the Keynote Speakers – 2026

Karren is a Senior Program Associate on UNITE’s K-12 team where she helps bring the Dignity Index to schools, districts, and community groups across the country. She brings over 23 years of classroom and administrative experience to the K-12 team, with a strong background in Special Education, instructional coaching, and positive behavioral support systems. Karren is deeply passionate about school and community building, and the transformative power of education. She has witnessed the power of the Dignity Index to spark hope and motivate young people to be advocates for dignity in their schools and communities.

Karren’s professional training is in Special Education, with advanced training and certification in LETRS Science of Reading, as well as English as a Second Language endorsements. She seeks to contribute to the growing dignity movement by empowering people to make a difference in their families, their school, and their communities.

Fred Ende is the Director of Curriculum & Instructional Services for Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES, one of New York State’s thirty-seven regional education service agencies. In this role, he partners with districts in the northern suburbs of New York City on a wide range of curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives, including program evaluation, professional learning design, leadership development, and coaching. He also serves as a liaison to the New York State Education Department on statewide teaching and learning efforts.

Prior to this position, Ende was the region’s science lead, supporting instruction across districts and coordinating the Science 21 program, which serves approximately eighty districts statewide. He began his career as a middle school science teacher, spending a decade in the classroom and in instructional leadership roles.

Ende is the co-author of Professional Development that Sticks (2016) and Forces of Influence (2020), both published by ISTE+ASCD. His work centers on the power of relationships in driving meaningful change—a principle that continues to guide his leadership and consulting work with schools and educational organizations.

The New York State Board of Regents announced on September 9, 2025 that Prince Johnson has been named the 2026 New York State Teacher of the Year. Prince Johnson, a Social Studies teacher at the Food and Finance High School in the New York City Public Schools, will serve as an ambassador and voice for New York State teachers and will be recognized with other state teachers of the year at a White House reception in the spring. Prince Johnson will also be put forth as New York State’s nominee for 2026 National Teacher of the Year.