Meet Our Board of Directors
Bob Richburg
Now retired from the University, Dr. Richburg, emeritus professor of teacher education and staff development, served with the School of Education for more than 25 years. He is known throughout the state of Colorado as an exemplary teacher. His innovations in the classroom include the development of a nationally recognized program called Project Promise, an intensive, ten and one-half month program that taught mid-career professionals how to be effective teachers. Project Promise was designated a Program of Excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and awarded $565,000 between 1993 and 1998.
Richburg’s past awards for excellence in teaching and scholarship include the 2001 College of Applied Human Sciences Outstanding Teacher Award, the Best Teacher Award in 2000 and educational leadership and innovation awards from Phi Delta Kappa.
Tracy Winey
Tracey Winey is one of the original three co-founders of Engineering Brightness. She has lead the way in establishing global connections and lantern distribution and research for the program. She is also the Media Specialist at Preston Middle School, an adjunct faculty member at Colorado State University, the Delta Force coordinator for STEM-X (formerly the STEM Institutes) and an original co-founder of the STEM Educator Symposium. Tracey has been named the Fort Collins Teacher of the Month by her peers, named the regional EntrepreNerd by local high school students, named the Tackle STEM Coach of the month by The Denver Broncos, and has received the Allen Distinguished Educator Award by her national community. Tracey is a Google Certified Teacher, a Flat Classrooms Certified Teacher and a SMART Exemplary Educator. She has presented and has been published at the local, state, national, and international level. Tracey is an active global contributor in fighting light poverty, providing authentic STEM opportunities and strengthening prospective and current educators.
John Howe
John Howe is the founder and Director of the STEM Institutes hosted by Poudre School District in Fort Collins and is a co-founder of Engineering Brightness. He is a Graduate Research Assistant and PhD student at Colorado State University with a research focus on broadening participation in STEM. John was recognized by the Fort Collins Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow for his dedication and commitment to furthering STEM education and was the Colorado Aerospace Education Teacher of the Year. John is a recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration CO-WY Award and is a pilot and active volunteer for the Experimental Aircraft Association. John was the McDonald’s NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year for Wyoming and is a mentor for Team America Rocketry Challenge. John has published and presented at the local, state, national and international level on STEM education.
