Joy Cooper, Autism Training Specialist, started her career at Giant Steps in 2003. She started as a program assistant, moved into a teaching position, then evolved into a coordinator, and is now a trainer for staff and community members through our Autism Training Center.  Joy has been a tremendous addition to the training team.  Her passion, enthusiasm, and eagerness to teach others is incredible.  Joy is an amazing person with a big heart. She is truly vested in every single student at Giant Steps. She always has a positive attitude and is dedicated to helping students be successful.  Joy always goes the extra mile to help students and colleagues.  Joy brings a wealth of experience and talent working with Giant Steps students and is infusing that experience and talent into the training program.

Jim Spangler, Vice President - Corporate Affairs, Chief Communications Office for Navistar, directs the company's corporate communications and government relations operations.  Jim joined Navistar in June of 2011 as vice president of corporate communications and chief communications officer.  In November 2013, Navistar combined corporate communications and government relations into one function - corporate affairs - under Jim's leadership.

With more than 25 years' experience in the public and government affairs arena, Jim has held a variety of positions, including nearly 12 years with Tenneco, Inc., a global automotive supplier, where he served as vice president of global communications.  In this role, he was responsible for corporate positioning, communications strategy and policy, executive communications, employee communications, media relations, government relations and public relations.

Before joining Tenneco, Jim was director of global public relations and media relations for Arthur Andersen.  He spent nearly eight years at Amoco Corporation in roles of increasing responsibility within the company's Public and Government Affairs group.  Jim began his career as an award-winning reporter at City News Bureau of Chicago.

Jim holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Illinois.  He is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and a trustee for the Institute of Public Relations.

Kristyn is a junior high school classroom teacher at Giant Steps. She graduated from Benedictine University as a student- athlete with a Bachelors Degree in Special Education. She has been with Giant Steps for over two years now. Kristyn came to Giant Steps looking for new opportunities. Before finding Giant Steps, she worked with students who have autism in a public school. As she started looking into resources and opportunities to grow in the autism community, Kristyn discovered Giant Steps. She fell in love with the program and the services offered to students. As a teacher at Giant Steps, her goal is to give each student the resources and supports needed to become an active member in their community. Every day is a new experience; Kristyn is always learning something new about herself and the students. Giant Steps has given Kristyn a place to grow as a professional and person. She wakes up every morning excited to come to work and leaves every day with a smile on her face.