Our Guest: Andrée Rolfe
Show Notes
Andrée Rolfe joins the Voices in Montessori podcast to share what she has come to understand to be essential truths about successful inclusion based on her 50 years of experience as a special educator and 13 years of experience as a Montessorian. Andrée suggests that rather than thinking of these guidelines as new set of “tools for your toolbox,” they are better viewed as broader beliefs that inform what you do and how you do it. In other words, these guidelines enable the adult to transform in a way that enables us to serve more children well. Here’s a sneak peek of what Andrée covers in this episode…
1) Make that which is implicit, explicit. In other words, when a child is struggling, identify where they are “stuck” and decide how to move them forward. When a difficulty is not resolved through our Montessori practice, we may need to create adaptations and provide direct instruction. This can still be done through a Montessori lens.
2) The key to mastery is repeated effortful practice. The guide’s role is to create opportunities for extended practice that is individualized and joyful.
3) Reactive behavior is the child’s attempt to communicate. “Behavior” is the #1 concern of primary and elementary guides. Children aren’t choosing those behaviors that we experience as challenging, they are communicating their unmet needs.
4) Never say never. Some children present with needs that seem outside the realm of what can be supported in our Montessori classrooms. Andrée asks us to consider, “What would it take… ?” when considering solutions.
5) Data is an objective mirror. When we try an intervention, data is our guide! It tells us whether progress is being made, or whether it’s time to change course.
In our conversation, we discuss the first five essential truths – those that apply to our work with children. Andrée tells stories and provides specific examples for each guideline. In Part Two, we will explore the next five truths – those that apply to our work with guides with families. You won’t want to miss this information-packed episode!
About our Guest
Andrée Rolfe
Special Education & Montessori Educator, Trainer & Consultant
Andrée Rolfe has been serving children with learning challenges for 50 years. The first 37 years were in public special education as a special education teacher, learning specialist, administrator, and university instructor. In 2012, Andrée fulfilled a decades-old intent and came to Washington Montessori Institute for elementary training. Since 2013, she has been teaching Montessorians about learning differences and inclusion strategies. Andrée is the Educational Consultant at The Village School in Waldwick, N.J. She currently offers a course through NCMPS and partners with AMI trainer Jennifer Shields to deliver workshops through Washington Montessori Institute. Andrée serves on the AMI/USA Human Rights and Social Justice Advisory Committee. Her credentials include an Ed.D. in Special Education – Learning Disabilities from Teachers College, Columbia University, AMI (6 – 12) Elementary certification, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Montessori Education from Loyola University. Andrée is a contributor to Montessori Inclusion and the author of Instructional Level Spelling materials.
Andrée is dedicated to supporting Montessori teachers and administrators in their work with learners who present with challenges. As a latecomer to the Montessori community, she embraces the opportunity to apply her special education knowledge and experience through a Montessori lens. Her goal is always to serve more children well by providing the right kind and the right amount of support to students, guides, and families.
Resources
Example of Available/ Unavailable Cards
TD Social Skills
Suggested by Terese Dana, M.S., BCBA
Science of Reading Resource
Discusses research-based skills and practice not in our albums
Social Story (Example of Direct Instruction)
How to Write a Social Story – Vanderbilt University
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Series
Resources for expanding Sound Games
American Speech and Hearing Association – ASHA
Speech Sound Disorders
Developmental Communication Milestones
Speech and Articulation Development Chart – to track the development of articulation of sound in expressive language
The Montessori Approach to Classroom-Based Interventions
by Pam Shanks (Chapter 11 – Reframing Challenging Behavior to Reactive Behavior)
Learn More with Andrée
Offered by WMI and Back By Popular Demand – Coming Back in 2026!
Jennifer Shields, AMI Primary Trainer, and Andrée Rolfe, AMI elementary-trained Inclusion Consultant and Teacher Educator, are thrilled to once again offer this unique, four-part virtual study series designed to support primary guides as they consider how to adjust lessons for children with specific learning needs.
Each three-hour session will focus on lesson adaptations in one area for children who have challenges with language development, auditory or visual processing, sensory needs, or attention and executive function. This series is designed for primary guides and administrators who embrace the challenge, are interested in expanding their knowledge base, and are eager to weave supportive adaptations into their practice.
Offered by the Washington Montessori Institute
Learn more and register!
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