Dr. Rothlein focused on early childhood education, reading, and children's literature. She co-authored approximately 25 books including the "Read It Again!" series, "The Complete Guide to Thematic Units: Creating the Integrated Curriculum," and "Learning Through Literature." She is the co-author of numerous research articles, which include "Play in Preschool Classrooms: Perceptions of Teachers and Children" published in the Journal of Early Education.

For seven years, Dr. Rothlein was a resident master and associate master at Eaton and Stanford Residential Colleges. She also received membership in University of Miami's most prestigious honorary society, The Iron Arrow Society.

She has been a member of the American Educational Association (AERA), Council for Exceptional Children for Young Children (CEC), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FAEYC), and American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

Dr. Rothlein was a member of the NCATE Board of Examiners for over ten years and participated in the accreditation process of nine colleges/universities. She served as co-director of twelve U.S. Department of Education federally funded teacher education training grants during her tenure at the University of Miami, such as "Gaining Readiness and Achieving Competency for Instructing All Students (GRACIAS)."

In August 2007, Dr. Rothlein retired from her position as associate dean at the University of Miami School of Education.

Shannon O'Dell has also been selected as a recepient of the 2008 Teachers College Outstanding Alumnus Award. In 2000, she graduated cum laude from Ball State University with a B.S. in elementary education. She earned a minor in reading and a kindergarten endorsement. Her teaching career began in August 2000 in Garrett, Indiana, as a head start lead teacher and, in December 2000, served as a second-grade literacy remediation teacher. From 2001 through 2003, Ms O'Dell taught in Durham, North Carolina, where she earned her reading recovery certification. She served as a reading recovery teacher, a K–2 literacy leader, and a Grades 3–5 literacy leader.

Since 2003, O'Dell has taught for the United States Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS). She has taught kindergarten, 3rd grade, reading recovery, and served as a literacy coach at Wetzel Elementary School in Baumholder, Germany. Baumholder schools are part of the large Kaiserslautern District. By serving as a mentor, O'Dell has been valuable in helping Ball State University student teachers adjust to and flourish with the demands of living and teaching abroad. She has helped them with teaching and classroom management ideas, involved them in extra-curricular activities with students and parents, and urged them to take advantage of professional development opportunities during their student teaching experience. She has provided that sometimes much needed connection to home.

O'Dell has won numerous professional awards. In 2004, she received the Literacy Leadership Award for the Kaiserslautern District. In 2005, she received the National PTA Life Achievement Award and the Scroll of Appreciation from General B.B. Bell, the United States Army Europe commander. She received the 2006-2007 United States Army Garrison Baumholder Volunteer Award. And in 2008, she was the Kaierslautern District Teacher of the Year. In just a few years of teaching, O'Dell has been recognized many times for her teaching and volunteerism.

Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients 2000s