Martin Karp
Dr. Martin Stewart Karp has spent more than 30 years contributing to education through direct teaching, school leadership, policy development, and community service. His career reflects the belief that lasting change happens when you are directly engaged in the work.
Educational Path
Martin Karp earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Education, and Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from the University of Miami. He also holds a master’s degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications through the M.S./M.B.A. program. This combination of academic preparation has allowed him to approach education from both instructional and administrative perspectives.
Experience Across Sectors
Over the years, Dr. Karp has been a teacher, principal, and school board member and now serves as Chief of Staff to a network of independent schools. He has dedicated himself to supporting student well-being, expanding access to gifted education, and improving services for students with special needs.
He has also worked in media and publishing, serving as Business Manager for Southern Playbill Publishing and as Circulation Director for Miami Beach Magazine. These roles strengthened his skills in communication, organization, and management.
Early Teaching and Program Creation
At Biscayne Elementary, Dr. Karp developed a gifted program that enrolled students from both public and private schools, creating a collaborative model for advanced learning. He served as an Exceptional Student Education (E.S.E.) specialist and Department Chairperson, organizing fairs to highlight special education programs.
In partnership with Lehrman Community Day School, he helped create one of the district’s first public-private gifted education models. This effort provided enriched instruction to students from different educational backgrounds in the same classroom.
He also produced WKDZ Kids’ World, a weekly educational television program that aired on Cable TAP and WLRN-TV Channel 17, designed to highlight students and classroom activities.
Four Terms on the School Board
From 2004 to 2020, Dr. Karp served four consecutive terms on the Miami-Dade County School Board. His work included advancing healthier school environments, implementing later start times for high schools, promoting vaping education, expanding disability services, and increasing opportunities in science and gifted education.
Current Leadership Role
As Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools for a consortium affiliated with Talmudic University, Dr. Karp’s responsibilities include overseeing contracts, leading meetings, developing strategic plans, and managing academic divisions for K-8, high school, and post-secondary programs.
He founded the Success Center at Yeshiva Elementary School to support students who excel in nontraditional classroom settings. This program combines core reading, writing, and math instruction with weekly STEM projects and enrichment activities, including guest speakers.
To help each student progress, he implemented assessment systems that track individual growth and designed customized learning plans that focus on student interests and strengths.
Service Beyond the School Day
Martin Karp has been committed to volunteer work for decades, especially in areas involving children, education, and animals. Since 1995, he has been engaged with Miami-Dade Animal Services and the Humane Society through the H.O.P.E. Contest (Help Our Pets Everyday/Help Overcome Pet Euthanasia), an initiative encouraging students to advocate for animal welfare.
Active in Scouting USA since the 1980s, he has served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 36, Cubmaster, and Advancement Chairman. He has also been a member of the WLRN Community Advisory Board for over 16 years, reviewing and editing lesson plans for award-winning documentaries.
His service has also extended to The Children’s Trust, the New World School of the Arts, and several other community organizations.
Recognition and Honors
Dr. Karp’s work has been recognized with the following awards:
- Yeshiva Elementary/Middle/Aderes Schools Educational Leadership Award
- Cervantes Outstanding Educator Award (Nova Southeastern University)
- Guardian of Youth Philanthropy Award (SHAPE)
- Hall of Fame Induction (Miami Beach Senior High School)
- Helping Hands Award (Jewish Community Services of South Florida)
- People, Pets & Vets Award (South Florida Veterinary Foundation)
- PTA/PTSA Lifetime Legacy Award (Miami-Dade County)
- Teacher of the Year Award (Biscayne Elementary School)
He also served as Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade School Board in the terms 2006–07, 2012–13, 2017–18, and 2018–19.
Communicating Through Media
Dr. Karp has consistently used media to address important education topics. He has appeared on local television and radio and written op-eds for the Miami Herald. His approach remains direct, student-focused, and free from political influence.
He has been invited to speak at forums, educational summits, and community events, addressing mental health in schools, effective policy development, opioid awareness, and managing change in large educational systems.
Continuing Legacy
The results of Dr. Martin Karp’s work can be seen in the programs he has created, the policies he has supported, and the students whose lives have been impacted. His career has been about meeting students where they are and building systems that help them succeed.
Dr. Karp and his wife, Danielle, are raising three sons — Herschel, Benjamin, and Samson Raphael — in a home where education, service, and community remain at the center.
Gallery
Martin Karp 