Fiza Iqbal Pathan
Educator · Published Author · Literary Award Winner
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Accomplished educator with 14 years of teaching experience in English Language, English Literature, and History. BA B.Ed. qualified with First Class honours, specialising in History, Sociology, and English. PGCITE certified for international curricula (PYP, MYP, IGCSE, IBDP, AS & A Level) with three Outstanding-graded classroom lessons (90/100, 97/100, and 94/100). Award-winning published author of 18 books with over 70 international literary awards. Proven ability to inspire critical thinking, creativity, and academic excellence in diverse student populations. Recipient of The Examiner’s Bronze Pen Award 2024 in recognition of literary and journalistic achievements.
Education
Post Graduate Certificate in International Teacher Education (PGCITE)
- Qualified to teach English, History, and Global Perspectives at the PYP, MYP, IGCSE, AS & A Level, and IBDP; Individuals & Societies MYP (Grades 6 and 7); Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and CAS at the IBDP
- Completed 180 lesson observations across diverse subjects and grade levels
- Teaching portfolio: fizapathansteachingportfolioforpgcite.com
- Content examinations: Secured 88/100 in English PYP and 84/100 in English MYP
- Lessons completed:
- IBDP-1 – Han Kang’s Human Acts — 90/100 Outstanding
- IBDP-1 – The Chinese Civil War — 97/100 Outstanding
- PYP Grade 6 – Game Lesson on Greek and Roman Civilisation — 94/100 Outstanding
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
- Interdisciplinary theological research enhancing pedagogical depth
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) – First Class
- Specialisations: History and English
- Honours Programme Certification (Grade B)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History – First Class
- Major: History · Major: Sociology
- Certificate Award for securing the highest marks in Hindi at the HSC Examination 2007
- Academic Scholarships: Rui Smith Scholarship (Hindi, 2008), Mikhail Gorbachev Scholarship (History, 2009), Mercy Raj Memorial Scholarship (History, 2009)
Teaching Experience
Teacher – English Language, English Literature & History
- Designed and delivered engaging lessons in English Language, English Literature, and History
- Developed assessment tools and evaluated student performance
- Participated in curriculum planning and staff development programmes
- Mentored students in academic and personal development
Private Tutorial Services (Self-Employed)
- Provide individualised instruction in English Language, English Literature, and History to ICSE and ISC students (Grades 7–12)
- Develop customised lesson plans tailored to individual learning styles and academic goals
- Consistently achieve strong student outcomes with improved grades and conceptual understanding
- Foster critical thinking skills through analytical discussions and research-based assignments
Publications & Literary Achievements
Founder & Publisher
- Published 18 books under the imprint Freedom With Pluralism®
- Specialisation: Original fiction, essays, and abridged classics for children aged 7–12
- Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.org
- Company website: fizapathanpublishing.us
Selected Books & Major Awards
2017
Readers’ Favorite Gold (Education)
Literary Classics Gold
CIPA EVVY Gold
Global Ebook Gold
Literary Classics Gold
CIPA EVVY Gold
Global Ebook Gold
2018
DBW Winner (Short Stories)
IAN Book of the Year (LGBTQ)
Global Ebook Silver (LGBT)
DBW Finalist (Social Issues)
Killer Nashville Finalist
IAN Book of the Year (LGBTQ)
Global Ebook Silver (LGBT)
DBW Finalist (Social Issues)
Killer Nashville Finalist
2020
DBW Finalist (Non-Fiction)
Writer’s Digest Honourable Mention
Wishing Shelf Red Ribbon
Writer’s Digest Honourable Mention
Wishing Shelf Red Ribbon
2014
New Apple Medalist Winner
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
Next Generation Indie Finalist
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
Next Generation Indie Finalist
2016
Reader Views Global Award (Asia)
Readers’ Favorite Bronze
Beverly Hills Book Award Winner
Readers’ Favorite Bronze
Beverly Hills Book Award Winner
- Additional Books: 8 abridged classics for children including CARMILLA, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Through the Looking-Glass, Daddy-Long-Legs, The Diary of a Nobody, The Canterville Ghost, and Rip Van Winkle (all with illustrator Farzana Cooper)
- Total Literary Recognitions: Over 70 awards and finalist positions across international literary competitions
🏆 The Examiner’s Bronze Pen Award 2024
Inaugural recipient in recognition of journalistic and literary achievements as a young Catholic writer. The Examiner is a reputed Catholic newsweekly of India, celebrating 175 years.
Contributing Writer
- The Examiner (Catholic newsweekly) – Regular contributor for 16 years
- Indian Catholic Matters (ICM) – Theological articles and book reviews
- The Teenager Today (St. Pauls Congregation) – Educational articles
- Personal Blog: insaneowl.com – Over 180 short story analyses since 2012; cited as a web resource in B.A. English curricula at 7 Indian universities
Blog Academic Recognition – Cited by Universities:
- Government Arts and Science College, Sivakasi (Madurai Kamaraj University)
- Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu
- Crescent Institute of Science & Technology
- IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Virudhunagar Hindu Nadar’s Senthikumara Nadar College
- University of Madras, Chennai
- Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore
Professional Skills & Competencies
PGCITE-Qualified Subjects
English, History, and Global Perspectives (PYP, MYP, IGCSE, AS & A Level, IBDP); Individuals & Societies MYP (Grades 6 and 7); Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and CAS at the IBDP
Additional Subjects Offered (AS & A Level)
Sociology, Psychology, Religious Studies/Divinity/Theology, Global Perspectives & Research, Thinking Skills
Additional Subjects Offered (IBDP Group 3)
Global Politics (HL/SL), Psychology (HL/SL), Social and Cultural Anthropology (HL/SL), Philosophy (HL/SL), World Religions, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)
Pedagogy
Differentiated Instruction, Student-Centred Learning, Critical Thinking & Research Skills Development
Assessment
Assessment Design, Formative Evaluation, Creative Writing Instruction & Literary Analysis
Communication
Public Speaking & Presentation Skills (trained under Fr. Frank Menezes), Digital Literacy & Portfolio Development
Interdisciplinary
Connecting literature, history, sociology, and theology; Online teaching methodologies
Professional Development
- Lesson Observations: 180 observations completed across various subjects (English, Biology, Economics, French, Physics, Art, Mathematics, Computer Science, Hindi, History, Music, Spanish, ICT) and curricula (PYP, MYP, IBDP, IGCSE, AS/A Level)
- Action Research: “Balancing Pedagogical Effectiveness with Classroom Management in IB/IGCSE Contexts: A Literature-Based Theoretical Approach”
- TOK Research: “The Ontology of the Soul in Dracula: Materialism vs. Spiritualism in Victorian Gothic Fiction”
- Micro-Teaching Sessions: Conducted as part of PGCITE programme with peer feedback
- Content Examinations: English PYP (88/100), English MYP (84/100); additional examinations in English, History, Global Perspectives (IGCSE, IBDP, AS & A Level) completed
NEP 2020: Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
As part of the PGCITE programme’s alignment with NEP 2020 guidelines, candidates are required to demonstrate familiarity with Indian Knowledge Systems. The following represents selected areas of study and expertise.
Category 1: Ancient Indian Philosophy & Texts
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Vedic Literature
- The Four Vedas: Rigveda (hymns, prayers), Yajurveda (rituals, sacrificial formulas), Samaveda (melodies, chants), Atharvaveda (spells, everyday life)
- Brahmanas (ritual explanations and meanings)
- Aranyakas (forest treatises, philosophical sections)
- Upanishads (108+ philosophical texts) — Major: Isha, Kena, Katha, Prashna, Mundaka, Mandukya, Taittiriya, Aitareya, Chandogya, Brihadaranyaka
Vedangas (Six Limbs of the Vedas)
- Shiksha (phonetics), Kalpa (rituals), Vyakarana (grammar — Panini’s Ashtadhyayi), Nirukta (etymology), Chandas (prosody), Jyotisha (astronomy)
Epic Literature
- Mahabharata: Main epic, Bhagavad Gita, Anugita, Shanti Parva, Anushasana Parva
- Ramayana: Valmiki’s version, regional versions (Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas, Kamba Ramayanam, etc.)
- Puranas: 18 Mahapuranas + 18 Upapuranas (Bhagavata, Vishnu, Shiva Purana, etc.)
Darshanas (Six Systems of Indian Philosophy)
- Nyaya (Logic — Gautama), Vaisheshika (Atomism — Kanada), Samkhya (Dualism — Kapila), Yoga (Patanjali’s 8-limbed path), Mimamsa (Vedic exegesis — Jaimini)
- Vedanta: Advaita (Shankaracharya — non-dualism), Vishishtadvaita (Ramanuja — qualified non-dualism), Dvaita (Madhvacharya — dualism)
Heterodox Systems
- Buddhist Philosophy: Tripitaka, Madhyamaka (Nagarjuna), Yogachara, Zen, Theravada, Mahayana
- Jain Philosophy: Jain Agamas, Anekantavada, Syadvada, Tattvartha Sutra
- Charvaka / Lokayata (Materialist philosophy — Brihaspati)
Devotional Literature
- Bhakti Movement: Kabir, Mirabai, Tukaram, Surdas, Tulsidas; Alvars and Nayanars (Tamil)
- Indian Sufism: Amir Khusrau, Bulleh Shah
Category 2: Statecraft, Governance & Politics
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- Arthashastra (Kautilya/Chanakya)
Category 3: Literature, Poetry & Drama
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- Hindi Literature (Bhakti poets, Premchand, modern Hindi writers)
Category 7: Ethics, Law & Social Systems
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Dharma Shastras
- Manusmriti, Yajnavalkya Smriti, Narada Smriti, Parasara Smriti
Nitishastra
- Chanakya Niti, Vidura Niti, Panchatantra, Hitopadesha
- Kama Sutra (Vatsyayana — broader life philosophy, aesthetics, and relationships)
Category 13: Education Systems
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- Gurukula System (Ancient education)
- Nalanda University (History and curriculum)
- Takshashila University (History and subjects taught)
- Vikramashila University
- Ancient Indian Pedagogy
Additional Experience & Leadership
- Diocesan Female Representative for Catholic Youth of Mumbai (2009)
- Deanery Youth Head of Bandra (2008)
- Student Council Member & History Association Head, St. Andrew’s College (2009–2010)
- Paper Presentations: “Student Presentation on East Indians” (Symposium on Bandra), “Hijab” (invited by Principal, St. Andrew’s College)
- Community Service: 20 hours at Urban Community Development Centre (2011)
- Extension Work: 120+ hours in Information Technology, Entrepreneurship, Career Guidance, Women Empowerment, Population Education (2010–2011)
Online Presence & Links
Professional
Literary & Publishing
Personal Website
Blog – Insane Owl
Freedom With Pluralism®
Amazon Author Page
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Social Media
X (Twitter): @FizaPathan
Instagram: @fizapathan
Medium
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