Martin Karp
Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools
Dr. Martin Stewart Karp has always believed that making a difference requires participation. For more than three decades, he has been actively engaged in education — teaching, guiding schools and school systems, and contributing to policies that address students’ needs. His work reflects a consistent commitment to creating opportunities for young people to learn and grow.
Academic Background
Martin Karp earned his academic degrees at the University of Miami, completing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, an M.Ed., and a B.B.A. with a specialization in Marketing. He also studied at Syracuse University, where he completed a program at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, earning a degree through an M.S./M.B.A. program. His education has provided a foundation for both his classroom teaching and his leadership in school operations.
Roles in Education
Over the years, Dr. Karp has served as a teacher, principal, school board member, and is currently Chief of Staff to a network of independent schools. At each stage of his career, his focus has remained on what benefits students most. He has championed student well-being, worked to expand access to gifted programs, and supported services for those with special needs.
His professional path has also included roles outside of education, such as Business Manager for Southern Playbill Publishing and Circulation Director for Miami Beach Magazine. These experiences added a broad perspective to his later work in schools.
From Classroom to Leadership
Dr. Karp began his career in the classroom before moving into leadership positions in school operations and strategy. At Biscayne Elementary, he established a gifted program that enrolled students from both public and private schools, a model that encouraged collaboration across educational sectors.
He has served as an Exceptional Student Education (E.S.E.) specialist and as Department Chairperson, organizing student fairs to highlight special education. He also worked with Lehrman Community Day School to create a public-private gifted education program, among the first in the district to bring together students from both sectors in one setting.
His teaching methods often emphasized active learning, particularly in science, geography, and language arts. He produced WKDZ Kids’ World, a weekly educational television program aired on Cable TAP and WLRN-TV Channel 17, designed to feature students and classroom activities.
School Board Service
From 2004 to 2020, Martin Karp served four consecutive terms on the Miami-Dade County School Board. During this time, he advanced initiatives focused on student health and learning. These included healthier school environments, later high school start times, vaping education, expanded services for students with disabilities, and the growth of science and gifted education programs. His approach combined policy-making with practical steps to meet real student needs.
Current Leadership Role
Dr. Karp now serves as Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools for a consortium affiliated with Talmudic University. His work involves managing contracts, leading meetings, setting strategy, and overseeing numerous academic divisions across K-8, high school, and post-secondary levels.
One of his notable contributions has been the creation of the Success Center at Yeshiva Elementary School. This program supports students who benefit from nontraditional learning arrangements, combining core reading, writing, and math skills with weekly STEM projects and enrichment activities. The Success Center’s mission is to help each child learn at their own pace while building on their strengths.
He has also introduced assessments to track student progress and designed personalized learning plans based on individual interests and skills.
Service Beyond the Classroom
Dr. Karp’s service extends well beyond his professional duties. He has volunteered for decades in causes related to children, education, and animal welfare. 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), an initiative for students to promote awareness of animal welfare.
His involvement in Scouting USA dates back to the 1980s, where he has served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 36, Cubmaster, and Advancement Chairman. He has also dedicated time to public broadcasting, serving more than 16 years on the WLRN Community Advisory Board, where he has reviewed and edited lesson plans for award-winning documentaries.
Dr. Karp’s community work has included contributions to The Children’s Trust, the New World School of the Arts, and various civic organizations.
Media and Public Engagement
Throughout his career, Dr. Karp has used media to share information on important education issues. He has appeared on local television and radio programs and written op-eds for the Miami Herald, presenting straightforward perspectives focused on student needs.
He has been a speaker at forums, community events, and educational summits, addressing topics such as mental health in schools, effective school policies, opioid awareness, and managing change in large educational systems.
Personal Commitment
The impact of Dr. Martin Karp’s work is seen in the classrooms he has influenced, the students he has supported, and the programs he has developed. His focus has always been on placing students first and building systems that respond to their needs.
Dr. Karp and his wife, Danielle, are raising three sons — Herschel, Benjamin, and Samson Raphael — who share the family’s values of education, service, and community.
