Across the Years
A career in pictures.
From classroom teaching to elected office to broadcast media — moments from across thirty-five years in education.
From classroom teacher to elected official to chief of staff and back to the classroom — a career defined by movement between policy and practice.
Recruited and hired to teach Global Societies and Culture at Scheck Hillel Community School, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, and assigned the role of Dean of Student Services for Yeshiva Elementary School. Concurrently serves on the WLRN Community Advisory Board, reviewing and editing curriculum that accompanies award-winning documentaries for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and supports the H.O.P.E. Contest partnership.
Led strategic planning, operational leadership, and stakeholder engagement across the consortium of schools. Responsibilities included communication and coordination, project management, improving teacher and student retention and productivity, and engaging students to become active in planning lessons and generating individualized projects. Served on interim basis as Principal of the Y.E.S. girls' campus and as acting Head of Schools on both campuses.
Served four consecutive terms — sixteen years — as an elected member of the Miami-Dade County School Board, the third largest public school district in the United States with more than 40,000 employees and a budget today exceeding $7 billion. Along with other Board members, appointed one Superintendent in 2008, one Board attorney in 2009, and three Chief Auditors. Proffered more than 100 policy initiatives that were approved during his tenure, and the district was awarded the top prize in urban education.
Served as the Miami-Dade County School Board's representative on The Children's Trust. Part of the effort to gain approval through a voter referendum that allowed for support for children's programming in perpetuity — an investment that today benefits more than 36,000 school-aged children each year. Voted on proposals that ultimately led to funding after-school programs, STEM education, arts initiatives, and youth sports across Miami-Dade.
Taught two graduate-level courses in the Graduate School: Curriculum and Instruction, and Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary Classroom. Also served as a part-time teacher and consultant for a nonprofit foundation supporting education initiatives — ushering in nationally recognized programs focused on improving graduation rates, dropout prevention, mentoring at-risk students, and connecting students with post-secondary opportunities.
Helped launch the gifted program at Biscayne Elementary School (now Biscayne Beach Elementary) thirty-four years ago, establishing an unprecedented model partnering a public school (BES) with a private school (Lehrman Community Day School) to recruit student participants from both. As part of the program, founded and produced WKDZ Kids' World, a weekly children's television show that aired on Cable TAP's community access channels and WLRN channel 17. Earlier interned at Bay Harbor Elementary and Fienberg-Fisher Elementary; taught science and enrichment at Scheck Hillel Community School.
Before embarking on a career in education, Dr. Karp served as Business Manager for Southern Playbill Publishing and as Circulation Director for Miami Beach Magazine — early career experience in publishing and circulation that informed his later work in communications, media production, and education advocacy.
From classroom teaching to elected office to broadcast media — moments from across thirty-five years in education.
Beyond elected office, Dr. Karp has served on a wide range of boards and advisory bodies supporting children, arts, and public broadcasting across South Florida.
Beyond the timeline are the initiatives — the long-running programs that continue to shape education and community life across Miami-Dade today.