Celebrating Irena’s Remarkable Journey at ITC
Irena Wilson – Academic & Quality Manager
What do you say about someone who has shaped a decade of quality, inspired a team of educators, and impacted countless learners, all with humility and heart?
As International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) prepares to farewell our dear Irena Wilson (formerly Irena Wysoczanski) into retirement, we do feel incredibly grateful. We are so lucky she chose us and that we chose her.
Many of you will remember Irena from when we first introduced her to the ITC whānau. Before joining ITC, she built an impressive career with Air New Zealand, beginning as a flight attendant and progressing to Training Manager, where she updated and wrote training programmes that helped shape the airline’s people and service standards. That depth of real-world experience became a gift to our learners and our team.
As she steps into retirement, we asked Irena to reflect on her journey.
Looking back over your 10 years at ITC, what moments stand out as your proudest accomplishments?
“Too many to list! Covid may have been the biggest though – new role, Level 5 Programme Monitor, Consistency Reviews and EER…huge learning curve but rewarding.”
When the world faced a pandemic, Irena stepped into one of the most critical periods in ITC’s history. In the middle of uncertainty, she embraced a new role as Level 5 Programme Monitor while leading Consistency Reviews and navigating the EER process, all during an unprecedented global crisis.
Where others saw disruption, Irena saw responsibility and opportunity. Working tirelessly behind the scenes, she helped secure approval for our Level 5 Diploma to be delivered via Study From Home, ensuring learners could continue gaining a valuable management qualification safely.
Her unwavering commitment to quality and high standards ensured our programmes remained strong, compliant, and learner focused. Because of her, ITC not only adapted, we strengthened.
Can you share a particularly memorable story or challenge that helped shape who you became as an educator and leader?
“Educator – very early on in teaching/training. I thought I had to ‘look’ the part (ex-Flight Attendant! 🙂) i.e. my focus was on me and not the students! It wasn’t until I attended a course run by a passionate educator that I realised I should forget about me and focus on the content I needed to pass onto my students, to make it fun and interesting and appropriate to the world they are entering. You can read all the books and study all you can, but the real experience is from ‘walking the walk’, the realisation that each person has a story and has something wonderful to offer.
Leadership – I learned this back when I was a Senior Flight Attendant, you need your team more than they need you. Just make sure they have the tools and skills they need and support them with respect. Give individuals in your team opportunities to ‘shine’ in the eyes of the company, it reflects well on the whole team.”
This philosophy is something we have all experienced firsthand. Irena has never led from the front for recognition, she has led from beside us, equipping, encouraging and quietly elevating others.
She has shared knowledge generously, helped refine our programmes, and strengthened our teaching practice. We walk away from conversations with her inspired with a fuller teaching toolkit and a renewed passion for learning.
What inspired you to keep learning and growing throughout your career, even later in life?
“I have a busy brain! I love to know how things work and why – I love solving puzzles too… The knowledge that I don’t have to be perfect or know everything has given me permission to make mistakes and grow in ways I didn’t know I could… to discover skills that hadn’t been obvious to me.”
That curiosity and humility have defined Irena’s career. Her willingness to keep learning has modelled to both staff and students that growth never has an expiry date.
What are the key lessons you hope colleagues and students carry forward from working with you?
“Feelings are not necessarily facts… always get the facts before making decisions.”
Practical. Grounded. Wise. Advice we will continue to repeat.
What advice would you give future educators entering this field today?
“Listen to your students, they will teach you how to teach them. Focus on the content you must deliver, make it interesting and have some fun! It may not be the highest paid field, but one of the most rewarding, we get to watch students grow in confidence to face their journey ahead.”
Irena has lived this. Her classrooms have always been places where confidence grows and potential is realised.
Is there one piece of wisdom you’ve learned that you’d like to leave with your team?
“Wherever you go you meet the same people, they just have different faces! Remember, there’s a little bad in the best of us and a little good in the worst of us, learn to focus on the good and your daily interactions will be more fulfilling…”
A beautiful reminder of grace, perspective, and kindness, values Irena has embodied every day at ITC.
“Spending more time with my husband and getting a puppy!”
And honestly, she has earned every slow morning, every walk, and every joyful puppy moment.
Claire Huxley, ITC’s CEO shares: “It is impossible to look back on Irena’s time here without feeling immense gratitude (and more than a few tears from me). I want to say a truly HUGE thank you for her incredible hard work and for always being so supportive. She has been a masterclass in quality and integrity, has given SO much back to our industry, and I will so genuinely miss her.”
Irena, thank you.
Thank you for the standards you upheld.
Thank you for the knowledge you shared.
Thank you for the calm guidance during uncertain times.
Thank you for shaping our programmes, our educators, and our learners.
Your legacy is woven through ITC’s culture and quality, and the ripple effect of your work will continue long after your official retirement.
We are better because of you. 💛
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