Dr. Martin Stewart Karp has devoted his professional life to making education more effective, inclusive, and student-centered. With over three decades of service, he has worked as a teacher, school leader, policymaker, and community advocate, always guided by the belief that meaningful change happens when you step in and take part.

He earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, an M.Ed., and a B.B.A. with a specialization in Marketing from the University of Miami, and also completed an M.S./M.B.A. program at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. This combination of academic achievements has given him both the leadership skills and communication expertise needed to navigate complex educational systems while staying grounded in classroom realities.

Martin Karp began his career teaching, where he focused on engaging students and creating opportunities for diverse learners. At Biscayne Elementary, he developed a gifted program that served both public and private school students, bridging educational divides. As an Exceptional Student Education (E.S.E.) specialist and department chairperson, he organized fairs to showcase the abilities of students with special needs. Partnering with Lehrman Community Day School, he helped establish one of the district’s first public-private gifted programs, which brought students from different school systems into a shared, enriched learning environment.

His belief in celebrating learning extended into the media world, where he produced WKDZ Kids’ World, a weekly educational program highlighting classroom activities and student projects. The show aired on Cable TAP and WLRN-TV Channel 17, giving students a platform to share their accomplishments with the broader community.

In 2004, Dr. Karp was elected to the Miami-Dade County School Board, where he served four consecutive terms through 2020. His tenure was marked by initiatives that directly improved the educational experience — later start times for high schools, healthier school environments, vaping prevention programs, expansion of science and gifted programs, and increased services for students with disabilities. These efforts reflected his focus on practical solutions designed to benefit students in tangible ways.

Today, Dr. Karp serves as Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools for a network affiliated with Talmudic University. In this capacity, he manages contracts, directs strategy, oversees operations, and supports academic divisions from elementary through post-secondary levels. At Yeshiva Elementary School, he created the Success Center, a program designed for students who thrive outside traditional classrooms. This center combines essential academic skills with STEM projects, guest speakers, and enrichment activities tailored to students’ strengths and interests.

Beyond his school leadership roles, Martin Karp has made long-standing contributions to community service. Since 1995, he has worked with Miami-Dade Animal Services and the Humane Society through the H.O.P.E. Contest, a program that engages students in promoting animal welfare. He has also been actively involved with Scouting USA since the 1980s, serving as Assistant Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, and Advancement Chairman, mentoring young people in leadership and personal growth.

His commitment to education and community extends into public broadcasting, where he has served on the WLRN Community Advisory Board for more than 16 years, reviewing and refining lesson plans tied to award-winning documentaries. He has also contributed his expertise to organizations such as The Children’s Trust and the New World School of the Arts, helping strengthen programs that benefit students and families.

Dr. Karp’s work has earned numerous awards, 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 has also served multiple terms as Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade School Board.

Through op-eds in the Miami Herald, appearances on local TV and radio, and speaking engagements at community events, Dr. Karp has addressed topics such as mental health in schools, opioid awareness, effective school policies, and leading change in large educational systems. His communication style is clear, direct, and always centered on what will help students most.

For Dr. Martin Karp, the most meaningful outcomes of his career are seen in the students who have been supported, the programs that have improved learning, and the communities strengthened through education. Alongside his wife Danielle, he is raising three sons — Herschel, Benjamin, and Samson Raphael — in a home that reflects the same values of learning, service, and community that have guided his life’s work.