Stefanie has lived in Texas for over a decade, but grew up on a family farm in New Jersey. Growing up with horses, pumpkin patches, and fields of wheat, rye, and popcorn allowed her plenty of time in nature and nurtured her interest in science. National Geographic magazines grabbed her attention with mummies, animals, and far-away places.

During her first year of college at Rider University, Stefanie discovered her love of anthropology and archaeology, and decided to transfer to Rutgers University to further study human evolution. After a study abroad trip to Kenya where she worked in a field school searching for hominid remains, she rounded out her Bachelor of Science in Evolutionary Anthropology with a minor in Geology. She continued her education at Columbia University, earning her Master of Arts in Climate and Society, where the science of our planet and people were intimately linked.

Stefanie returned to school, this time so that she could teach. Seeing environmental compliance failures throughout the country, she knew that the best way to fight for the environment was to teach science to the next generation. She went back to work as a high school science teacher, covering Earth and Environmental Science, and a General Science class for the upperclassmen.

After creating curriculum, participating in her local teacher’s union, taking a flight workshop just for educators, and watching her students graduate for over 6 years, the Bord family decided to move to Texas as Stefanie’s husband finished his PhD in Biostratigraphy (a job awaiting him in the oilfields), and their first daughter was born.

They started off in an apartment in Spring Branch before settling in Klein, where they had their second daughter. Their oldest daughter started school at Theiss Elementary, and Stefanie decided she’d like to go back to teaching. She taught sixth graders Advanced Sixth Grade Science and Klein Prep classes, focusing on Earth and Environmental sciences again, until Covid struck.

Diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic when she was 3 years old, Stefanie was at risk being in a crowded school environment during a pandemic, and opted instead to stay home with her girls. She started homeschooling them, and has enjoyed the freedom and responsibility of teaching her own kids ever since. They’re involved in several homeschool groups in the area, and enjoy traveling (including camping!) as much as possible.

After the school shooting in 2022 at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Stefanie knew she had to do something to prevent gun violence. She joined the local Moms Demand Action group and quickly became interested in politics in Austin and how she could make a difference there. She encouraged her State Representative, Sam Harless, to vote for a bill that would increase the age from 18 to 21 to buy a rifle in the state of Texas. A law like that could’ve prevented the Uvalde shooter from accessing the gun he bought a day after his 18th birthday. While Rep. Harless did vote yes in committee, he assured her that it would not receive a vote on the floor. It was at this point Stefanie knew she had to do more than just ask for votes—she became interested in becoming a State Representative herself!

A few friends had become Precinct Chairs for the Harris County Democratic Party, and Stefanie knew this was a start in organizing and getting out the vote in her area. She’s worked as a Precinct Chair since 2023. After becoming involved in local Democratic politics, she wanted to do more for her community.

With encouragement and support from her friends and family, she decided to run for State Representative. Now, she’s looking for your support to become the next State Representative from Texas House District 126 in Klein, Cypress, Spring, and Tomball!