Martin Karp
Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools in Miami, Florida
Dr. Martin Stewart Karp has spent more than 30 years working to make education stronger, more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs of students. His career has included teaching, school leadership, policy work, and community service, all built on the belief that the best way to create change is to be directly involved.
He earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, an M.Ed., and a B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Miami, followed by an M.S./M.B.A. from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. This combination of degrees has given him a well-rounded foundation in education, business, and communication, allowing him to lead with both vision and practical understanding.
Martin Karp began as a classroom teacher, committed to finding new ways to reach and inspire students. At Biscayne Elementary, he developed a gifted program that welcomed students from both public and private schools, helping to build cooperation across different educational systems. As an Exceptional Student Education (E.S.E.) specialist and department chairperson, he organized fairs to highlight the accomplishments of students with special needs. Partnering with Lehrman Community Day School, he helped create one of the first public-private gifted programs in the district, providing a shared, enriched curriculum for diverse learners.
He also believed in using media to give students a platform for their achievements. Dr. Karp created WKDZ Kids’ World, a weekly educational television program that showcased classroom activities and student projects. Broadcast on Cable TAP and WLRN-TV Channel 17, it brought attention to learning in a way that engaged the wider community.
From 2004 to 2020, Dr. Karp served four consecutive terms on the Miami-Dade County School Board. His leadership focused on initiatives that improved student well-being and learning environments, including later start times for high schools, healthier school settings, vaping prevention education, expanded science and gifted programs, and stronger services for students with disabilities. Each decision was guided by what would best support students’ growth.
In his current position as Chief of Staff to the Head of Schools for a network affiliated with Talmudic University, Dr. Karp oversees daily operations, contracts, and strategic planning for programs ranging from elementary to post-secondary levels. At Yeshiva Elementary School, he founded the Success Center.