About – Presidents In The Hot Seat

Ryan Fullerton, Co-Creator

Ryan Fullerton teaches social studies at Ottawa Middle in Ottawa, KS. There, he teaches 6th grade Ancient World History and 7th grade Kansas History/Geography. Outside of school, Fullerton volunteers as the curriculum team leader for the American Legion Boys State of Kansas, a summer leadership program for young men about to begin their senior year of high school. He is also a mentor for the KU Council for the Social Studies, an organization for pre-service social studies teachers. Fullerton graduated from the University of Kansas in 2018 with degrees in both Secondary Education and History, and he has since returned to KU to pursue his MA in History. He and his dog Scooter live in Lawrence, KS.

John Schissler, Co-Creator

Although he began his teaching career in Topeka, KS, John Schissler now teaches social studies in the United Arab Emirates at Manor Hall International School. Like Fullerton, Schissler has served as a mentor for the KU Council for the Social Studies. Prior to moving to the UAE, Schissler taught ESOL courses and Sheltered World History at Topeka High School, where he also sponsored the Association of Latin American Students. Schissler graduated from the University of Kansas in 2017. He and and his wife, who is also an educator, live in Al Ain.

Nick Crady

Nick Crady graduated from the University of Kansas in 2019 and now teaches at Lexington Trails Middle School in De Soto, KS. There, he teaches a course for 6th grade students called Pathways. This is a class focused on developing four key skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking/problem-solving, and creative thinking. Crady joined the Presidents in the Hot Seat team in 2019 after collaborating with Fullerton and Schissler on other projects for the KU Council for the Social Studies. He lives in Lawrence, KS.

The Team