Martin Karp

Dr. Martin Stewart Karp has spent more than 30 years working to strengthen education through active involvement, thoughtful leadership, and a clear focus on student needs. His career has taken him from the classroom to the school board, from program development to community service, all guided by the belief that real progress happens when you are directly engaged in the work.

He earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, an M.Ed., and a B.B.A. specializing in Marketing from the University of Miami. He also completed an M.S./M.B.A. through Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. This mix of educational leadership, business knowledge, and communication expertise has allowed him to approach education with both a strategic vision and a hands-on perspective.

Martin Karp began as a teacher, bringing creativity and inclusivity into his lessons. At Biscayne Elementary, he launched a gifted program that welcomed students from both public and private schools, encouraging collaboration and shared learning. As an Exceptional Student Education (E.S.E.) specialist and department chairperson, he organized student fairs to showcase the achievements of students with special needs. Working with Lehrman Community Day School, he co-created one of the district’s first public-private gifted education programs, offering students from multiple school systems a rich, shared academic experience.

He also saw the value of using media to connect learning with the community. Dr. Karp produced WKDZ Kids’ World, a weekly educational program that aired on Cable TAP and WLRN-TV Channel 17, highlighting student projects and classroom activities. The show gave students a platform to share their work and inspired pride in their achievements.

In 2004, he was elected to the Miami-Dade County School Board, serving four consecutive terms through 2020. His leadership brought forward initiatives that addressed student health and learning conditions, including later start times for high schools, healthier school environments, expanded science and gifted education programs, vaping prevention education, and improved services for students with disabilities. Every policy he supported was designed to benefit students in practical, lasting ways.

Today, Dr. Karp serves as Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools for a network affiliated with Talmudic University. He manages contracts, oversees daily operations, guides strategic planning, and supports academic divisions from elementary through post-secondary levels. At Yeshiva Elementary School, he founded the Success Center, a program tailored for students who thrive outside traditional classroom models. It combines essential reading, writing, and math instruction with STEM projects, guest speakers, and enrichment activities, helping each student grow according to their strengths.

Outside of his school leadership roles, Dr. Karp has been committed to community service for decades. Since 1995, he has worked with Miami-Dade Animal Services and the Humane Society through the H.O.P.E. Contest, a student competition promoting animal welfare. His long-time involvement with Scouting USA — including service as Assistant Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, and Advancement Chairman — reflects his dedication to guiding youth in leadership and personal growth.

Dr. Martin Karp has also contributed extensively to public broadcasting, serving for more than 16 years on the WLRN Community Advisory Board, where he reviews and refines educational content for award-winning documentaries. Additionally, he has been active with organizations like The Children’s Trust and the New World School of the Arts, offering his experience to strengthen programs that serve students and families.