Our seventh and eighth grade program (which Maria Montessori called Erdkinder) strives for high academic expectations, community involvement, and an atmosphere of respect. Our program prepares students very well both for high school and for productive adult lives. Our teachers believe in creativity and innovation in education and emphasize every student doing their best quality work at all times. Our low student-teacher ratio creates strong relationships and allows for individual attention. All students have the same teachers for both seventh and eighth grade; in this way, a great deal of trust and rapport is built up between teachers, students, and families.
About Meghan Booth
Meghan Booth, Science, hails from the great Northwest and is a lifetime fan of the Timbers. She enjoys spending time with her dog Larry, her cats, and her husband and two children. When she is not prepping for her science job at Bluffview, you can often find her enjoying game night with her friends.
About Casey Johnson
Casey Johnson graduated from Winona State University in December 2019 with a degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. He looks forward to getting to know all the students, staff, and parents, as well as working closely with the other Erdkinder teachers! He grew up on a farm in rural Kasson, MN. He graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School in 2010. He then wrestled on scholarship after high school. He moved/transferred to Winona in 2012 and fell in love with the town. Shortly after moving to Winona, he started a job at Home & Community Options and continue to work there 10 years later. You can often find him jamming out to classic rock or searching up jokes to share with everyone. (Two fish are in a tank. One says, ‘How do you drive this thing?’) He is an avid college football and college wrestling fan. GO GOPHERS! He love the colors baby blue and matte black. His favorite animals are moose and cows. His favorite foods are smoked pulled pork and pho. (Pho is a Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meats.)
About Laura Kruger
Laura Kruger is originally from a small town in southern Minnesota. She moved to the Winona area to attend college and by the time she graduated she didn’t want to leave the community. In Laura’s free time she loves to go outside to play disc golf, fish, and tend to her plants. She is very excited to be a part of the Bluffview Montessori community and Erdkinder!
About Ms. Larsen
Victoria Larsen is originally from Dubuque, Iowa where she taught Special Education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, all things crafty, spending time outdoors and tending to her plant collection. She lives in Winona with her Fiance and her 3 cats. Victoria is so excited for a great year at Bluffview!
Erdkinder Photo Gallery
2022-2023
2021-2022
Erdkinder
Middle School