Like Maria was set up in 2017 when Maria and I found ourselves discussing how to use technology more effectively in the classroom. Maria had already experimented with blogging and websites but we both recognised that the way forward was apps and videos. Our students were keen to share their experiences and following their advice, Like Maria was born on Youtube.
Since then we have been on a steep learning curve and have developed a range of resources designed to help students study more efficiently and effectively. As practising teachers in Cambridge, we know what it takes to succeed and want everybody to be able to study ‘just like Maria’.
We aim to produce more accessible resources and experiment with more exciting ways to support our students and fellow teachers. We hope you’ll join us for the journey…
Like Maria are:
Maria Butcher graduated in 1993 from Manchester University with a 2:1 in English Language and Literature.
She went on to do a Masters in Old English Literature and was invited to do some teaching on the undergraduate course.
Having caught the teaching bug, she did a PGCE in Norwich followed by three fantastic years at a technology college in Derby. Maria has been teaching and tutoring ever since and has more than 20 years experience in the classroom.
Maria has always had an interest in using new technologies in the classroom and is keen to involve students in shaping the future of teaching and learning. Having started her career in a classroom with a chalkboard, she is continually excited by the new possibilities available for sharing her love of all things literary and linguistic.
Until recently, Maria was a teacher of English Literature and English Language at a successful sixth form college in Cambridge.
Caroline Birks was a rather lacklustre student but managed to graduate with a 2:1 in English and Sociology, rapidly followed by a PGCE in Secondary English.
Two years into a teaching career, she was asked to teach Media Studies and has been doing so enthusiastically ever since. Caroline became a more motivated student in 2003 when she studied for an MA in Media, Culture and Communication.
Having taught for over 19 years in both state and private schools, Caroline has added Film Studies, Photography and English Language to her subject specialisms.
Caroline brings a wealth of teaching experience and some filming and editing skills. She currently tutors Media and Film Studies, is an examiner for EDUQAS and OCR and regularly writes for Media Magazine. Until recently, she worked alongside Maria in Cambridge.
