erin foerch

contributing author

About

I was a successful 5th grade teacher at Calvary Baptist Schools in Holland, MI. Then, I began staying at home with my children in 2003. During this time I opened and managed a bed and breakfast and historical meeting facility and educated my children at home for 6 years. Currently, I write on my blog, Excuse Our Mess while staying home with my children. In March of 2015, we adopted two five-year old girls with Down syndrome from China. I have a passion to raise Down syndrome awareness and advocate for my daughters and other families as well as raise awareness and advocate for the orphan crisis in China. My non-fiction articles have been featured on the web, my first nonfiction article was published online 11/06/2014 by Mamapedia. Since then, I have been featured on The Mighty, on No Hands But Our's, Slant News, and published by Young House Family Services in an article advocating for adoptive families.

Country

united states

City

cedarville

Industry

primary/secondary education

Skill

freelance writing, teaching, grant writing, microsoft word, public speaking, creative writing, microsoft office, small business, curriculum design, editing, event planning, social media, blogging, writing

Experience

grant writer

grant writing

2014-1 - 2015-1 · 1 yr 1 mo

Successfully wrote 13 grants during the adoption process and was awarded a total of over $30,000 in funds towards the adoption of our two daughters from China.

teacher

home schooling

2008-1 - 2015-1 · 7 yrs 1 mo

Home schooled three of my children in lower and upper elementary levels; achieved amazing growth and excellence. They are now successfully studying in the public school setting and in advanced placement classes.

teacher

calvary baptist school

2002-1 - 2003-1 · 1 yr 1 mo

5th grade teacher Lead/mentored a group of Jr. High and High school girls who met weekly and did volunteer work in community

website owner, blogger

excuse our mess

2013-9 - Present · 13 yrs 1 mo

* I write about my life, my faith, and my interests at Excuse Our Mess. I have a passion to share the truth about my life and the beauty amidst the mess. * Published/Featured Articles: * No Hands But Our's blog, 5/27/15, 10/01/15 * Mamapedia, 11/06/14

independent business owner

the ambler house

2004-1 - 2007-1 · 3 yrs 1 mo

* Established a bed and breakfast, historical meeting/party facility, and catering business * Hosted and catered for weddings to small private luncheons * Responsible for all business management, marketing, and public relations * Won Mount Pleasant, IA Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Award Grant and Recognition, 2006 * Featured on an episode of HGTV's "If Walls Could Talk"

contributing author

the mighty

2016-1 - Present · 10 yrs 9 mos

The Mighty (TheMighty.com) helps people facing disabilities, diseases and chronic health conditions. We do this by publishing honest, helpful and often inspiring stories from those facing everyday challenges. Through partnerships with hundreds of non-profits, media companies and other organizations, we are connecting over 1,500 writers with more than 75,000,000 readers, building one of the fastest-growing communities in health.

Education

van buren community high school

1994-1 - 1998-1 · 4 yrs 1 mo

cedarville university

special education

1998-1 - 2001-1 · 3 yrs 1 mo

BA in Elementary Education, Psychology, Special Education, and Bible Minor RA, 2 years, 1999-2001 Intern at Inner City Impact, Summer 2000; mentor over Jr. High students Volunteer trip to Inner City Impact, working in Special Education classroom, paraeducator Volunteer childcare of triplet children with autism