Renewing a bond with her lifelong friend, Rosemary Imregi, J. R. Minard’s desire to write and teach came alive. In March of 1989, during their chance encounter with former Florida State star quarterback, Victor Prinzi, she and her co-author listened to the story that changed their lives. J.R began a new journey by traveling to the Dozier School for Boys located in the small town of Marianna in the Florida Panhandle. She and Rosemary spent time researching, interviewing, and writing. Years later, Coach in Cottage C, became a reality.
J.R. graduated from Wagner College on Staten Island, N.Y. and began teaching in the high school classroom. While at home raising two daughters and working at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, she completed her MA degree in adult education from Florida State University and began working as a technical writer and trainer for a medical company.
She became part of the faculty at the Job Corps in Charles Town, West Virginia and worked with RESA 8, a community program that provided educational programs and services. J.R.’s time as a volunteer in The Villages with the Patriotic Service Dogs, an organization working with the Correctional Institute for Women in Florida, led her to the Take Stock in Children program where she is a mentor at The Villages Charter High School.
