Last updated on June 5th, 2025
A beloved teacher of 57 years in the Washoe County School District, Esther Bennett’s life exemplified true dedication to education, community involvement, and a passion for the cultural heritage of Nevada, leaving a lasting impact on the Northern Nevada region.
In her youth, Esther Louise Bennett (1917-2007) loved riding horses and was crowned as the very first Miss Reno Rodeo, in 1937. She was also an accomplished pianist, and loved using innovative techniques (especially animals) to teach children. Esther eventually served the Reno community as an elementary school teacher for a total of 57 years, positively influencing the lives of thousands of local children and she also mentored 75 UNR graduates as they started teaching in classrooms, themselves.
In 2000, Mrs. Bennett was honored by having a school named after her—Esther Bennett Elementary School, located in Sun Valley, Nevada. Her legacy lives on, as thousands more children in the area continue to be taught in her school.
Sources:
https://www.washoeschools.net/bennett
https://www.facebook.com/EstherBennettES
