Martin Karp

Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools

Martin Karp Stewart Karp has spent more than three decades working to improve education by staying actively involved at every level. From his early days in the classroom to his leadership in schools and on the school board, his career reflects an apparent belief: positive change comes from participation and consistent effort.

Educational Foundation

Dr. Martin Karp earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Education, and Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Miami. He also completed a master’s degree at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications through an M.S./M.B.A. program. His academic background has equipped him with both the practical and strategic skills needed for education leadership.

Roles in Education and Beyond

Throughout his career, Dr. Martin has served as a teacher, principal, school board member, and is now Chief of Staff to a network of independent schools. He has worked to expand opportunities for gifted students, improve services for students with special needs, and strengthen the overall learning environment.

In addition to his educational work, he has held positions in publishing and media, including Business Manager for Southern Playbill Publishing and Circulation Director for Miami Beach Magazine.

Early Innovation in the Classroom

While teaching at Biscayne Elementary, Dr. Karp created a gifted program that brought together students from both public and private schools. This was one of the earliest examples of his ability to bridge different educational systems.

He has served as an Exceptional Student Education (E.S.E.) specialist and Department Chairperson, developing student fairs to highlight special education programs. Partnering with Lehrman Community Day School, he helped establish one of the district’s first public-private gifted education models.

His commitment to innovative teaching extended to educational television, producing WKDZ Kids’ World. This weekly show highlighted student work and classroom activities, aired on Cable TAP and WLRN-TV Channel 17.

Leadership on the School Board

From 2004 to 2020,  Dr. Martin served four consecutive terms on the Miami-Dade County School Board. His priorities included promoting healthier school environments, adjusting high school start times, providing vaping education, expanding support for students with disabilities, and increasing access to 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 oversees contracts, leads meetings, develops strategy, and manages academic programs across K-8, high school, and post-secondary levels.

He founded the Success Center at Yeshiva Elementary School, a program for students who thrive in nontraditional learning environments. The curriculum includes core reading, writing, and math, along with weekly STEM projects and enrichment activities.

He has also implemented new assessment tools to monitor progress and designed individualized learning plans that reflect students’ interests and strengths.

Service Beyond Education

Dr. Martin Karp has volunteered in his community for decades. Since 1995, he has worked with Miami-Dade Animal Services and the Humane Society through the H.O.P.E. Contest (Help Our Pets Everyday/Help Overcome Pet Euthanasia), a student competition to promote animal welfare awareness.

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 more than 16 years, reviewing and editing lesson plans for award-winning documentaries.

His community involvement extends to The Children’s Trust, the New World School of the Arts, and numerous other organizations.

Recognition and Honors

Martin Karp's work has been recognized with multiple awards, including:

• 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 has also served as Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade School Board in 2006–07, 2012–13, 2017–18, and 2018–19.

Using Media to Share Ideas

Dr. Martin Karp has used media to bring attention to educational issues, appearing on local television and radio and writing op-eds for the Miami Herald. His approach is straightforward and student-centered, without political influence.

As a guest speaker at forums, educational summits, and community events, he has addressed topics including mental health in schools, policy improvement, opioid awareness, and managing change in large educational systems.

A Lasting Commitment

The measure of Martin Karp's work is found in the students he has helped, the programs he has built, and the policies he has supported. His career has always placed students first, meeting them where they are and creating systems that help them succeed.

Dr. Karp and his wife, Danielle, are raising three sons — Herschel, Benjamin, and Samson Raphael — who have grown up surrounded by the same values of education, service, and community that define his life’s work.