Katherine Peirce-Burleson has spent a lifetime asking questions, observing people, and finding meaning in the stories that often go unnoticed. A respected journalism educator for nearly four decades, she taught at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before spending more than thirty years at Texas State University, where she inspired generations of aspiring journalists through her passion for communication and critical thinking.

Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida, Katherine’s experiences have given her a broad perspective that shines throughout her writing. Her curiosity has taken her from classrooms and research projects to international travel, community service, church life, and countless unforgettable encounters that have become part of her remarkable collection of memories.

In Word Puddles: My Life in Snippets, Katherine combines the precision of a journalist with the warmth of a storyteller. Her reflections embrace humor, loss, friendship, resilience, identity, and the unexpected lessons found in everyday life. Whether recalling childhood adventures, sharing heartfelt personal moments, or laughing at life’s absurdities, she writes with honesty and compassion that invite readers to see pieces of their own lives reflected in hers.