Belonging partners with schools and families to build school communities where every child feels seen, valued, and supported.

Belonging partners with schools and families to build communities where every child feels seen, valued, and supported—offering advocacy at meetings, on-site visits, virtual support, and tailored professional development.

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Services

ADVOCACY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 
  • Non-Lawyer Professional Advocacy: Serving as an experienced education specialist to guide and empower your family as you advocate for your child’s needs.
  • IEP & 504 Meeting Support: Attending school conferences, team reviews, and evaluation meetings to ensure your child receives appropriate accommodations and services.
  • System Navigation: Helping you navigate complex special education processes, rights, and paperwork with clarity, dignity, and purpose.
  • Building Authentic Belonging: Collaborating with educators to design support plans that ensure your child is fully included and valued in their school community.
  • Strengths-Based School Collaboration: Partnering with school staff to bridge communication and focus on your child’s unique abilities and growth.
SCHOOL LEADER SUPPORT AND COACHING 
  • Strategic Leadership Coaching: Guiding principals and administrative teams through complex school change with clarity, vision, and purpose.
  • Building Inclusive Schoolwide Systems: Designing and implementing sustainable practices that ensure equity and belonging across every classroom.
  • On-Site & Virtual Consultation: Providing flexible, hands-on advisory support during administrative meetings, policy reviews, and strategic planning sessions.
  • Capacity & Culture Building: Equipping leaders with actionable tools to guide their school communities with empathy, integrity, and trauma-informed practices.
  • Staff Alignment & Engagement: Helping leadership foster a welcoming staff culture that aligns daily teaching practices with shared values of student belonging.
FAMILY ADVOCACY FOR ADOPTIVE, FOSTER STUDENTS AND FAMILIES 
  • In-Meeting & Virtual Advocacy: Joining school meetings, IEP/504 reviews, and team conferences to ensure your voice is heard and your rights are respected.
  • Adoption-Informed School Guidance: Helping educators understand how adoption, foster care, and early life experiences impact learning, behavior, and connection.
  • System Navigation: Guiding you through complex school processes with clarity, dignity, and purpose so you never have to figure it out alone.
  • Strengths-Based Action Plans: Collaborating with school teams to build support strategies that honor your child's unique story, assets, and individual strengths.
  • Cultivating True Belonging: Working alongside school staff to shift classroom cultures so your child and family are welcomed as essential, valued partners.
TEACHER SUPPORT AND COACHING 
  • Personalized 1-on-1 Coaching: Providing tailored guidance and practical strategies to help teachers address diverse classroom needs and student profiles.
  • Inclusive Classroom Design: Equipping educators with actionable tools to build trauma-informed, inclusive environments where every student feels safe and valued.
  • Strengthening Student Relationships: Guiding teachers on proven methods to deepen student connections, foster classroom belonging, and improve overall well-being.
  • Translating Theory into Everyday Practice: Turning professional development insights into concrete, sustainable teaching routines that boost student engagement.
  • On-Site & Virtual Consultation: Offering flexible observation, feedback, and strategy sessions designed to fit seamlessly into busy educator schedules.

Testimonials

  • Your support in these last several meetings has helped us make more progress than we could have any other way. I’ve also really appreciated our conversations, because you helped me feel less isolated in this process.

    – Parent Partner, 4th Grade Student

  • Max has the ability to listen beyond the words that are shared. He is able to connect on a deeper level and pull you past the current moment into a place of understanding and clarity. You walk away with clear and actionable next steps. He is a life saver.

    – Kahinde, School Principal

  • From day one Max made it a priority to make me feel comfortable and supported in my role as a new teacher in the school he led. His willingness to do whatever it took to make sure I had everything I needed to do my job shaped the positive experience I had working under his leadership.

    – Kennrith, Classroom Teacher

  • I attended Max’s training at the ATTACh conference in Minnesota. I am an adoptive parent and a school social worker so I related to him very well. I was in tears at the end of his session, just connecting with his story.

    – Mandy, School Social Worker
    https://attach.org

  • When you talk with Max you can quickly see his heart and intentionality. He works to deeply understand and listen to the experience children have had and are currently having in the school system. His work expands how you think about belonging and what it really means to have spaces where everyone feels seen.

    – Isaac, CEO at Identity
    https://www.identitylearning.co

  • Dr. Max goes above and beyond to provide skills, resources, and opportunities for individuals while providing guidance, humanity, and grace. He is a true asset to our world and he uses his gifts, intellect, and wisdom to better the world for the next generation.

    – Derrick, Classroom Teacher, Writer

  • Here's the story that stands out to me most: I had the joy of spending a day shadowing Max when he was working as a school principal. The intention to foster belonging was at the heart of every interaction I observed with students, teachers, and families--especially among those whose experiences or identities gave them an 'outsider' status.

    – Peter, Leadership Coach

  • As a teacher, I felt seen and that my story was not only valued but important. By welcoming and accepting me, it opened me up to be vulnerable and lead in places I would not have been comfortable before.

    – Natasha, Special Education + Classroom Teacher

  • Max was my 5th grade teacher. 17 years later I remember the impact he had on my school experience. You can just see that not only does he have the passion for what he does, but a huge talent! He made sure every kid felt included and no one felt left out. He also took the time out to make sure that we really understood the lessons he taught us.

    – Tiphani, Former Student

  • Max has been one of the greatest teachers I've had during my teacher preparation courses. He was always very understanding and flexible, characteristics that are of high importance in the education field. I always looked forward to his class because of his genuine and helpful personality. If I needed any guidance or help I knew I could reach out to Max and he would help with no hesitation.

    – Wendy, Pre-Service Teacher

  • I've known Max Professionally since 2012. He's been a friend since then too and he has meant so much for my personal and professional life. Max's ideas help guide my work regarding how we carry trauma that comes into our school community, as well as how live out what is right in a public school setting to do whatever is possible for anyone who walks in our doors.

    – Jason, School Principal

  • I have worked with Max in his capacity as a school principal and as a fellow community member and parent. Max brings a restorative, inclusive and deeply relational lived philosophy to all he does. Learning with Max is powerful and transformational. He is capable of both deep empathy, of truly being present, while also bringing a larger perspective and context to each encounter.

    – Pamela, Restorative Justice Manager for the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy

  • I remember Mr. Weinberg always had a smile on his face and greeted everyone by name. He would always make sure all kids and family felt they mattered. Any concerns voiced would be addressed. He is all about inclusiveness and is an attentive listener. He would also follow-up and even rode the bus with the kids if needed. Mr. Weinberg is a front of the line leader!

    – Tiffany, Financial Professional and Parent at Max's school

About

Dr. Max Weinberg, founder of Belonging LLC, has spent almost 30 years in the education profession, serving as a teacher, instructional coach, administrator, and school and organizational leadership coach and consultant.

Making sure every child is seen and understood in school is personal for Max. He brings his background as a loss-affected youth, a transracial adoptive parent, and a trauma-informed educator and advocate to each situation he encounters.

Max has researched and written about effective teaching practices and inclusive environments for children who have been adopted, looked after, or fostered. Beyond this population, his research offers valuable insights for other students navigating rigid school systems.

Children who feel misunderstood often face undue pressure to conform, which can limit their potential. They deserve advocates who help them and their families feel welcome — and who fight for the systemic change that creates more inclusive schools.

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Max holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago and is the author of Strengthening School Belonging for Adopted and Looked After Children: A Guide for Educators in Every School (Routledge, Feb 2027). He brings:

  • A bachelor's degree in English and American Literature from Brandeis University

  • A master's degree in Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education

  • A master's degree in School Administration and Supervision from Fordham University

  • Endorsements in Special Education and Bilingual Education

  • A leadership certificate in Nonprofit Leadership (Northwestern University/Kellogg)

  • A leadership certificate in Human Resources (University of Illinois)

Dr. Max Weinberg (he/him)
Educator/Founder

Email: max@belongingeducation.com

Calendar: Schedule a Meeting

Watch

Creating a sense of belonging takes all of us. Join Max in his video series, “What is School Belonging?” as we continue to explore the question and push this work forward.

Watch more videos here
Max is named one of the "50 Essential Thought Leaders on Student Belonging in Schools Globally" by Consult Clarity

A commitment to children's well-being is at the heart of everything I do.

I believe in fair and reasonable pricing for services.

Please contact me for pricing details.