Jim Joseph LabateJim LaBate spent the final 20 years of his career as a writing specialist in The Writing Center at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. There, he received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2019.Originally from Amsterdm, New York, Jim earned his bachelor's degree in English from Siena College in Loudonville, New York, and his master's degree, also in English, from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York.Jim spent his entire career as either a teacher or a writer. He taught physical education as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Golfito, Costa Rica, for two years. He taught high-school English for 10 years (one year at Vincentian Institute in Albany, New York, and nine years at Keveny Memorial Academy in Cohoes, New York). Then, he worked for 10 years as a writer forNewkirk Products in Albany, New York, before moving to HVCC.Prior to writing Our Sweet Maria, Jim wrote six books: one work of nonfiction, Writing Is Hard: A Collection of Over 100 Essays, and five works of fiction. His latest novel - Streets of Golfito - received the 2021 Maria Thomas Fiction Award for a book about the Peace Corps.Jim lives in Clifton Park, New York, with his wife, Barbara; they have two daughters: Maria and Katrina. Read More Read Less