The Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) Employee of the Quarter Award highlights individuals who exemplify excellence in service and attitude, positively impacting our students, staff, families, and the broader community. In the second quarter for the 2025-26 school year, we are proud to recognize Emily Van Arkel at Miller Middle School with the Employee of the Quarter Award, whose dedication and positive influence have made a lasting impression.
Learn more about Van Arkel and her Bobcat story by reading her responses to the following Q&A:
Why did you decide join the Marshalltown Community School District?
I chose to join the Marshalltown Community School District because of its reputation as a progressive district that prioritizes student success and well-being. I knew this was a great place specifically to be a teacher librarian because of the value the district places on school libraries and the role they play in literacy and learning.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Bobcat community?
My favorite thing about being a member of the Bobcat community is the people. I enjoy everyone I get to work with at Miller and throughout the district, but also love living in such a friendly, welcoming community that immediately felt like home.
What about your role at MCSD surprises you?
My role is full of surprises every day, which is one of the reasons why I love it so much. No two days are ever alike and I enjoy getting to support teachers and students in such a variety of ways. Being a teacher librarian involves much more than books, so I love the ways I get to help integrate resources and support learning in all content areas.
In your opinion, what makes Marshalltown Community School District special?
I think Marshalltown Community School District is special because it has the opportunities for students you would find in a large, urban school district, but still retains the small-town feeling of community. This juxtaposition allows our students to flourish and explore so many different academic and extracurricular paths while still being part of a close-knit hometown with teachers who care about them and cheer them on throughout their entire MCSD journey.
What does it mean to you to be a Bobcat?
To me, being a Bobcat means embracing challenges, showing up every day with a belief in what we do, and leading with kindness and positivity.