Chatting at the C

The incomparable Rita Ryan taught Latin at Omaha Central for 42 years, from 1971-2013. Rita was inducted the following year into the Central Hall of Fame . She took Eagle students and families to Europe 15 times, and ran the country's oldest Latin Club while at CHS. For generations of Eagles, a Rita Ryan mention brings a smile to their faces everytime. Rita passed away in 2022. The Register on her...

We are joined by legendary 1992 Omaha Central grad and former basketball coach Eric Behrens to talk about his days as a student at CHS, his historic run as coach, a member of CHS' blue ribbon chain crew, and then moving on to being a college coach and now a principal in OPS. Join us for a great, extended conversation with Eric, and stay tuned for some orginal music from some talented CHS music...

Dan Daly taught English at Omaha Central from 1962-1999 and served as Department Chair from 1976-99. Dan discussed his approach to English teaching, his success in the AP program, and other thoughts about changes at CHS during his tenure. Dan was a 1989 Alice Buffett Award winner and was Central's Teacher of the Year for 1972. He was inducted into the ⁠Central Hall of Fame in 2011.⁠ This interview...

We chatted with the wonderful Jean Whitten who taught science at Omaha Central High from 1996 until her retirement in 2015. Jean was at Lewis and Clark MS for 5 years before that, but her story starts in the state of Texas and winds around the United States until landing in The Nest. As a Central parent to two Eagles, Science department chair, wilderness expedition leader, and fantastic colleague,...

Virginia Lee Pratt (CHS 1937) taught at her alma mater, Omaha Central High School, from 1941-1982. She was a math teacher and Math Department Chair. Ms. Pratt is in the Central Hall of Fame. Ms. Pratt was 88 at the time of this interview. She passed in 2015 at 96 in Omaha. This interview was conducted in August of 2007 by: Barry Combs (1950) HOF Dr. Orville Menard (1951) HOF Dr. Jim Wigton (1966)...

Matt Shafer taught business and coached at Omaha Central from 1997-2004. Matt's son and daughter both later attended CHS, and his son Jackson returned as a Math teacher in 2019, another one of Central's faculty members from the alumni ranks. (1:10) Matt's youth and influential teachers (11:35) hired at Lewis and Clark MS (19:40) moving to Central HS (27:30) moving to Alice Buffett MS (...

On this “Hall of Fame Week” episode we talk about Omaha Central Hall of Fame Distinguished Educator Paul Semrad. Paul was at CHS from 1973-2005. He taught Social Studies, was Central's very first Girls Basketball coach (where he won back-to-back titles and a Class A record 58 straight wins in 1983 and 1984), and then finished his career as an Asst. Principal. Paul passed away in 2020, but we sat d...

Another special "Central High history" episode! This episode focuses on Omaha Central Hall of Famer Marion G. Crandell from the Omaha High School Class of 1889. Marion, who was a French language teacher, volunteered to go to France during The Great War in 1918 to help soldiers behind the lines recuperate from combat. Marion was killed during the German offensive in March of 1918 and is believed to...

We are joined by retired Central Social Studies teacher and head football coach, Jay Ball . Jay is a 1980 CHS graduate , who taught and coached in OPS for 30 years, including from 2006-2017 at Omaha Central High School. Jay was heavily influenced by his father Jerry, but Jay also notes the numerous great teachers, coaches, and colleagues who helped him along the way. Jay won a State football title...

Special "Central history" episode. We normally talk about Omaha Central teachers, but we had such a great opportunity to talk about CHS Hall of Famer John Pehle (CHS 1926) with historian Rebecca Erbelding. John attended Creighton and Yale Law School before starting at the Treasury Department under Secretary Henry Morgenthau, Jr. . During WWII, John advocated for, and then ran, the War Refugee Boar...

What happens when two long-time teacher friends sit down for a chat? You get a mega-pod. We are joined by veteran Omaha Central High teacher, Social Studies Department chair, and former CHS wrestling coach Jimmie Foster to talk about his 28+ years at Central and much more... (1:42) growing up in Oklahoma (6:00) Shannon/ Coach Denney at UNO/ OOOSSS! orgins (12:50) OPS' Minority Interns program (23:...

We welcome former Omaha Central High principal Dr. Gary Thompson, who was principal of CHS from 1995-2002. Before that, he taught science and was Science Dept. Chair at Central (1973-1983), he was a junior high science teacher at Bancroft (1970-1973), and he made stops as an admin at South and Benson (1983-1991), was principal of Lewis and Clark Jr. High (1991-1995), before returning to The Nest i...

In this special episode, we talk with John Schmidt about his CHS Hall of Fame grandfather, John "Pop" Schmidt. Pop taught science at Omaha Central High from 1918 until his death in 1949. Pop coached many legendary Eagle athletes and teams to championships and lifetimes of success. Listen to John discuss his love for CHS and for his grandfather. "To some there is given the talent of...

We chat with the amazing Jen Stastny , who has been teaching English at Omaha Central High since 1998. In this episode we explore what made her want to become a teacher, what sustains her in education over the years, and some of her favorite teacher people and moments in a great career. (1:13) Omaha kid (8:53) Peace Corps or a teaching career? (12:00) convincing CHS to hire her (19:10) advice from...

We are joined by Paul Pennington to talk about his 34 years (1971-2005) at Omaha Central High. Paul was a Math teacher, coach, and Athletic Director. Paul never could have imagined working anywhere else. (1:00) growing up in Beatrice and his path to teaching (5:29) getting hired at CHS (8:16) coaching career (14:20) Athletic Director (21:00) retiring from CHS (25:00) great CHS community support (2...

We are joined by Tim Shipman, who taught at Omaha Central High School from 1988-2019. We follow Tim from Grand Island to Germany to Capitol Hill and around the world. Tim's influence at CHS is undeniable. (00:52) Grand Island, US Army, Holdrege Police Officer (10:00) going into education (19:00) Central HS and a philosophy of teaching (26:27) Central dad (30:23) a good colleague and retiring (33:0...

We are joined by Central HS Hall of Famer Rod Mullen, who taught Social Studies at CHS from 1998-2022. Rod talks about his Omaha origins, his influences, and his award-winning teaching career. Then, Rod and Scott discuss the Top 5 CHS sports moments during their 24 years together at CHS. (00:45) Omaha born and raised, OPS school days, and playing sports. (9:15) Rod gets his teaching career started...

From Plattsmouth to Omaha Central and back. Vicki Wiles taught Marketing and DECA at CHS from 1989-2020. Vicki was the ultimate colleague and a world-class teacher, too. (1:00) formative years in Plattsmouth (4:30) career begins at CHS (7:07) being a great co-worker (12:30) coaching track and VB, and taking the squad to The Steve Miller Band at Red Rocks (19:00) award winning Wiles! (23:08) DECA c...

Thanks for listening to the show! Chatting at the C is supported by the Omaha Central High School Foundation. Consider supporting the CHSF by joining "Generation C" In this episode, we talk to retired award winning CHS history teacher Vicki Deniston Reed about her outstanding 24-year career at Central. (00:55) Growing up (3:45) OPS and Lewis and Clark Middle School (6:45) coming to Central HS in 1...

Thanks so much for tuning into Chatting at the C. While you're here hit that subscribe button on your app and then find us on any social media platform you prefer. We couldn't do this show without the support of the Central High Foundation. Visit the CHSF website to find information about reunions, archives, yearbooks, and opportunities to support current Central High students! The name Ci...

Thanks for tuning into the show! Make sure you follow us on your favorite podcast platform and on social media. We're glad you're reading these notes and listening to the episode. If you'd like to continue to support the show consider becoming a 'Generation C' member with the Central High Foundation today! You can choose several different levels of donation, even free! Visit th...

Thanks for tuning into another great episode of the show. Make sure you hit that subscribe button and follow us on any social media platform you'd like. We are rapping up our summer shows and gearing up for another great school year. Make sure you visit the Foundation Website to sign up for their newsletter where you can stay in the know of what's happening at Central and learn how to supp...

Thanks for tuning into the show! Make sure you subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app and on social media! We appreciate our continual sponsor the Central High Foundation for supporting the show and all of Eagle Nation! Visit their website to become a 'Generation C' member today! (CHSF) Jon Franta is a second generation Eagle Educator and, while he's been here for only a ye...

Thanks for tuning into the show! Make sure you follow us on this platform and on any social media you'd like. If you'd like to subscribe to our newsletter submit your email address to the Q&A section below. Major thanks to the Central High Foundation for their support of this show. Head to their website to become a Generation C member and support Central students today!! ( website) Tig...

We've hit our one year anniversary show and we had to go BIG! So, we finally had legendary educator and world traveler Scott Wilson on the show. Thanks for tuning into the show and make sure you follow us on social media wherever you'd like! Leave us a five star rating so others around the world can find the show and experience the greatness of Eagle Nation! Scott Wilson is as synonymous w...