Who’s Who in Sonoma: Tina Baldry

Over the past 27 years, Tina Baldry has put her background in Early Childhood Education and Administration to good use. She taught school and owned and operated "Ready Set Go" preschool in Glen Ellen.

Tina has been on the Rainbow Valley Preschool Board of Directors, Sonoma Valley Girl’s Softball Board of Directors, worked on Project Grad at Sonoma Valley High School, and for two terms was president of the Field of Dreams.

In 2000, Tina’s love of children brought her to the Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance as program director. In the process she discovered a life-changing relationship in her own role as mentor.

SP: You’ve been mentoring Janeth for seven and a half years.

Tina: When I met Janeth, she was a shy Fifth grader who struggled with reading and had very little connection to her community.  We’d meet at the Flowery Mentor Center and take turns reading and playing games.  I met Janeth’s family and was served the biggest tower of enchilada’s you’ve ever seen.

SP: A nice perk to the job.

Tina: I ate every one of them! Once trust was established, Janeth and I ventured out. We began going to San Francisco, Tahoe, and the movies. The first time I took Janeth to a restaurant, she was unsure what to do with the menu. Now she orders for me! 

SP: How old is she now?

Tina: Soon to be 18. I’m very proud of the growth she’s made. She's enrolled at Santa Rosa JC and plans to become a nurse.

SP: How did mentoring impact your two children and your family life?

Tina:  My girls Bryanne and Rashell, now 25 and 22, have been good role models for Janeth and have shown her that young women can live on their own, be independent and successful. Our relationship grew to a new level when my husband, Ernie and I were invited to go to Janeth’s hometown of Uriangato in Guanajuato.

SP: What is your role as program director?

Tina:  I supervise eight mentor facilitators, and each manages a center by overseeing matches and then nurturing relationships.

SP: What kinds of programs have you developed?

Tina: Our activities range among culinary classes, leadership workshops, “Roadmap To Your Future” field trips, art classes, and family socials, all designed to enrich and inspire mentees to build skills and expand their knowledge of the world. 

SP: How much mentoring time is spent on education and how much on fun?

Tina: As a mentor, it’s important to find a balance between doing homework and having fun.  Building strong trusting relationships is what makes mentoring thrive, so if homework is getting in the way of the relationship, we provide tutors for the mentees.

SP: Where does the Alliance’s funding come from?

Tina:  Grants, foundations, fundraising events, local charity events, individual donors, and direct mail campaigns.

SP: How do you determine the right matches?

Tina: We put a great deal of time and thought into it. We support our mentors through our center facilitators, forums, round tables, and counselors. When the relationship works, magic happens.

SP: What would you be doing if you weren’t in the educational/mentoring field?

Tina:  I’d travel the world as an outdoor photographer and create workshops that would guide kids to express themselves through photography and art. And I’d like to write a children’s book.

SP: And what’s in the future for you and Janeth?

Tina: We’re in this mentoring relationship for life.

To learn more about becoming a mentor or to find out out how you can contribute to the program, go to http://www.sonomamentoring.org/mentoring.html