Biography
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Dr. Martin Karp, is a lifelong resident of Miami-Dade County and is a graduate of our public school system.

At the University of Miami, he earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, a Master of Science in Education, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. At Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, he earned a masters degree in a joint M.S. and M.B.A. program.

Sixteen years ago, he helped create the gifted program at Biscayne Elementary School. The program began as a unique joint effort between a private and public school with students from both schools participating.

Dr. Karp founded, coordinated, and produced a children’s television show, WKDZ Kids’ World. The show aired on a weekly basis on Cable TAP’s community access channels and on WLRN channel 17.

On the PBS affiliate in Miami, WPBT-TV channel 2, Martin provided assistance and suggestions for educational programs and appeared on the television program Issues and the Media.

Dr. Karp created two educational radio talk shows, which he produced and hosted on local A.M. stations. The programs highlighted issues including school choice, dropout prevention, parental involvement, charter schools, overcrowding, and bilingual education. Guests included school board members, children advocacy group representatives, authors of books, adoption specialists, leaders of multicultural groups, and directors of organizations working with teen delinquency and the underprivileged.

Dr. Karp began volunteering in South Florida in 1982 when he started S.H.O.P. (Senior Handicapped Outreach Program). He created S.H.O.P. in an effort to assist elderly citizens who were unable to leave their homes and shop for groceries.

In another voluntary role, Martin founded a countywide Miami-Dade County Public School district-approved contest sponsored by the Miami-Dade Police Department and Humane Society of Greater Miami. He started the H.O.P.E. (Help Overcome Pet Euthanasia) Contest eleven years ago and more than 2,500 students have participated. The purpose of the Contest is to provide students with an opportunity to engage in problem-solving activities addressing pet overpopulation in the community. He continues to coordinate the contest today.

Dr. Karp was awarded the highest honor in Scouting—Eagle Scout and he served as Advancement Chairman for a local Scout troop and as a board member for Pioneer District. Currently, he serves on the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Education and Business Committee. In addition, he serves on the board of the New World School of the Arts.

Prior to becoming an educator, Martin served as Circulation Director and Business Manager for Southern Playbill Publishing, Inc.

Martin is a voting member on two Miami-Dade County School Board committees.He serves as the Chair of Instructional Excellence and Community Engagement and as a member of the School Support Accountability Committee. On November 21, 2006, he was elected as Vice-Chair.

Martin and wife Danielle are proud parents of Herschel David and Benjamin Alter Karp.