Martin Karp
Martin Karp’s Biography
Dr. Martin Stewart Karp has spent his career working directly with students, educators, and communities to improve how education serves young people. With over 30 years of experience in classrooms, school leadership, and policymaking, he has built a professional life rooted in the belief that real change comes from active participation and hands-on involvement.
His academic journey began and flourished at the University of Miami, where he earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Master’s in Education, and a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in Marketing. He later completed a master’s program at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, earning his M.S./M.B.A. His educational background gave him the practical leadership skills and broad perspective needed to guide meaningful progress in schools.
Early in his career, Karp taught at Biscayne Elementary, where he developed a gifted program that brought together students from both public and private schools. His approach demonstrated that collaboration between educational sectors can create stronger learning opportunities. As an Exceptional Student Education (E.S.E.) specialist and department chairperson, he organized student fairs that celebrated the achievements of children with special needs. Partnering with Lehrman Community Day School, he helped establish one of the district’s first public-private gifted education programs, an effort that enriched learning experiences for students across communities.
Dr. Martin Karp also embraced educational media to highlight student work. He produced WKDZ Kids’ World, a weekly TV program showcasing classroom activities and student projects, aired on Cable TAP and WLRN-TV Channel 17. These projects reflected his belief that learning can be shared, celebrated, and made more engaging through creative outlets.
2004 Karp began a 16-year tenure on the Miami-Dade County School Board, serving four consecutive terms. His work on the board focused on policies that addressed real student needs — implementing later start times for high schools, expanding gifted and science education programs, improving services for students with disabilities, promoting healthier school environments, and introducing vaping education. Throughout, the principle of putting students first guided his decisions.
Today, Martin is Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools for a network affiliated with Talmudic University. He manages contracts, leads meetings, develops strategies, and oversees various academic divisions. At Yeshiva Elementary School, he created the Success Center, designed for students who thrive in nontraditional learning settings. The program blends core academic skills with STEM activities, guest speakers, and enrichment projects, ensuring students learn in ways that play to their strengths.
Beyond his work in education, he has dedicated decades to community service. Since 1995, he has been involved with Miami-Dade Animal Services and the Humane Society through the H.O.P.E. Contest, which educates students about animal welfare. He has also served in leadership roles in Scouting USA, including Assistant Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, and Advancement Chairman, helping young people develop essential life skills.
He has been an active contributor to public broadcasting, serving for more than 16 years on the WLRN Community Advisory Board, where he reviews and edits educational materials connected to award-winning documentaries. He has also worked with organizations like The Children’s Trust and the New World School of the Arts, sharing his expertise to strengthen community programs.
His service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Yeshiva Elementary/Middle/Aderes Schools Educational Leadership Award, Cervantes Outstanding Educator Award, Guardian of Youth Philanthropy Award, Miami Beach Senior High School Hall of Fame induction, Helping Hands Award, People, Pets & Vets Award, PTA/PTSA Lifetime Legacy Award, and Teacher of the Year Award. He also served multiple terms as Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade School Board.
He has shared his views on education through op-eds in the Miami Herald, local television and radio interviews, and speaking engagements on topics like mental health in schools, opioid awareness, effective school policy, and adapting to change in large educational systems. His approach remains practical, direct, and centered on student well-being.
For Martin Karp, the actual impact of his work is found in the students whose lives have been enriched, the programs that have made a difference, and the communities that have grown stronger through his efforts. At home, he and his wife Danielle are raising their three sons — Herschel, Benjamin, and Samson Raphael — with the same values of education, service, and community that have guided his career.