Esther J. Cox was appointed to the State Board of Education and Early Development in March 2003 by Governor Frank Murkowski. Ms. Cox was an Alaska educator for 33 years. She taught English in Anchorage and Juneau, and was head teacher for a special program for Alaska Native students, assistant principal at Service and West High Schools, principal at Romig Junior High School, Anchorage School District Secondary Supervisor, and principal at the King Career Center in Anchorage. While Ms. Cox was principal, Romig was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a "School of Excellence." She has served as president of the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals, president of the Alaska School Activities Association, and president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, a 32,000-member organization. In 1995, she received the Milken Family Education Award.

Since retirement, Ms. Cox has served as an educational consultant to the design team of the new South Anchorage High School. She serves on several museum one-percent art selection committees as well as the McLaughlin Youth Center advisory board. Ms. Cox lives in Anchorage. She has five children and 12 grandchildren.