School District

Dr. Martin S. Karp  is an award-winning teacher, educational administrator and policymaker with 35 years of experience in the field of education including 30 years with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Dr. Karp has dedicated himself to championing a wide range of causes and programs for all residents throughout Miami-Dade.

A lifelong resident of Miami-Dade County, Dr. Karp attended the University of Miami, where he earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, a Master of Science in Education, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. He also earned a master’s degree as part of a joint M.S. and M.B.A. program from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Prior to his service on the School Board, Dr. Karp helped launch the gifted program at Biscayne Elementary School (BES) (now Biscayne Beach Elementary School) 34 years ago, establishing an unprecedented model partnering a public (BES) and private school (Lehrman Community Day School) to recruit student participants from both. In this joint program, Dr. Karp founded and produced a weekly children’s television show, WKDZ Kids’ World, that aired on Cable TAP’s community access channels and WLRN channel 17. Prior to teaching at BES, he interned at Bay Harbor Elementary School (now Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8) and Fienberg-Fisher Elementary School (now Miami Beach Fienberg-Fisher K-8). He also taught science and enrichment at Scheck Hillel Community School.

He founded a countywide initiative known as the H.O.P.E. (Help Our Pets Everyday) Contest, which provides a platform for students to engage in problem-solving activities addressing pet overpopulation in the community. More than 10,000 students have participated in the Contest since its inception 31 years ago. He spearheaded a partnership with Miami-Dade County Animal Services Division, the Humane Society of Greater Miami, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, bringing leaders from the 3 organizations together to achieve positive outcomes. Today, he communicates regularly with the 3 entities and judges the entries submitted to the Contest.

In recognition of his dedication to advancing education for all children, Dr. Karp, who is an Eagle Scout, has received many awards including the "Cervantes Outstanding Educator Award." In 2019, he was inducted into the Miami Beach Senior High School Hall of Fame. In 2020, he received the Miami-Dade County Council PTA/PTSA Lifetime Legacy Award. Most recently, in June of 2022, he was named the recipient of the Yeshiva Elementary School, Yeshiva Middle School and Aderes Educational Leadership Award.

Dr. Karp and his wife, Danielle, are the proud parents of Herschel, Benjamin and Samson Raphael. Together, they enjoy outdoor family and Scout-related adventures, reading, learning in and outside of Shul, playing sports, and volunteering in the community. One community-related act of chesed by Martin and Danielle is documented in a newly released book by C.B. Weinfeld titled I Can’t Call You Mommy: A Gripping True Story, published by Mesorah Publications Ltd., which was originally printed in Ami Living, a weekly magazine.

Dr. Karp with his wife, Danielle, and sons Herschel, Benjamin and Samson at Virginia A. Boone Highland Oaks Elementary School with Mr. Fong, Principal.