Senya ~ The Better Platform for Better Subs
At Senya, we are driven by three key principles:
- Provide schools with top quality substitute teachers
- Provide schools with top rates of substitute teacher coverage
- Provide schools and substitutes with a top quality platform for efficient job management
Our emphasis on the quality of substitute teachers shapes our recruiting and onboarding process; nothing is more important than ensuring that substitutes are qualified for working in classrooms.
Recruiting
Senya's recruiting team works daily to connect with people who are passionate about helping schools. Using a number of recruiting software tools, Senya is able to connect with strong candidates, such as former educators and others who have previous experience in schools. In addition, Senya conducts outreach to university education programs to connect with students who are pursuing careers in education. Senya also receives a lot of interest from community members, and our process works to onboard the most qualified candidates.
Senya's recruiting team is proactive and focused on meeting school needs, monitoring daily coverage rates as well as trends throughout the school year. Our team regularly analyzes geographic areas and individual schools to put attention where it is needed. From targeted recruiting to increasing incentives, we do everything we can to maintain top substitute teacher coverage. This also includes outreach to schools to provide strategies to attract and retain substitutes. For example, our team will notify schools when their substitute pay rates are significantly lower than surrounding schools, or, as another example, share substitute feedback that can improve subs' experiences at the school.
Onboarding
Substitute candidates undergo a thorough onboarding process, which includes:
- Providing contact information
- Providing legal identification and confirming work authorization
- Completing a state and FBI fingerprint background check
- Completing all state requirements for substitute teaching
- Reviewing conduct policies and preparation resources
- Completing a video interview with a Senya manager
- Providing payroll information (Senya facilitates substitute pay)
Fingerprinting Details by State
Scroll below to learn more about the fingerprint background check process that Senya uses in your state.
Arizona
In Arizona, substitutes are required to obtain a Level One Identity Verified Prints (IVP) clearance card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. This involves a fingerprint background check that is run through both the state of Arizona and the FBI. Candidates may use any of the state's approved providers to get their fingerprints submitted digitally. Once candidates receive their IVP card, Senya conducts a check through the state system and approves them to continue our onboarding process. All substitutes who are approved to accept jobs on the Senya platform in Arizona have had their IVP card verified; however, schools may request that Senya substitutes show their IVP card when working at the school.
Florida
In Florida, substitutes are required to undergo a fingerprint background check that is run through both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI. Senya is an approved entity to receive candidates' background check results through FDLE's VECHS program, and all results are reviewed by a Senya manager. Senya uses IdentoGo as the provider for digital fingerprinting. All substitutes who are approved to accept jobs on the Senya platform in Florida have passed their criminal background check, and Senya is subscribed to receive state reports of any subsequent criminal activity.
Nevada
In Nevada, substitutes are required to undergo a fingerprint background check that is run through both the state of Nevada and the FBI. This is conducted by the Nevada Department of Education when people apply for a substitute license. The Nevada Department of Education issues the substitute license after a candidate has successfully passed the fingerprint background check and all other requirements. Proof of a current license is verified by Senya through the state's educator license lookup website.
New York
In New York, substitutes are required to undergo a fingerprint background check that is run through both the state of New York and the FBI. Candidates use the state's approved vendor, IdentoGo, for digital fingerprinting. Results are screened by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED), and these are shared only when requested by a school using the state's TEACH system. Senya works with a partner school who submits requests through TEACH, screens background check results, and approves candidates on the Senya platform. Additionally, our partner school is subscibed to receive state reports of any subsequent criminal activity.
Texas
In Texas, substitutes are required to undergo a fingerprint background check that is run through both the state of Texas and the FBI. Candidates are fingerprinted though the vendor IdentoGo, using the provided codes through the Senya onboarding process so that the digital scan is sent to the appropriate agencies. Results are sent through the Texas Education Agency, and these are shared only when requested by a school using the state's FastPass system. Senya works with a partner school who screens background check results and approves candidates on the Senya platform. Additionally, our partner school is subscibed to receive state reports of any subsequent criminal activity.
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Utah
In Utah, substitutes are required to undergo a fingerprint background check that is run through both the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and the FBI. Senya uses YUP Fingerprinting as the provider for digital fingerprinting. Results are screened by the state and only shared to schools. Senya works with a partner school who receives background check results and approves candidates on the Senya platform. Additionally, our partner school is subscribed to receive state reports of any subsequent criminal activity.
Substitute Preparation
In order to work as a substitute through the Senya platform, candidates are taken through conduct policies and preparation materials in our platform's Readiness Center.
Conduct Policies
Our conduct policies cover the expectations that substitutes must follow, with topics such as
- Dress code
- Personal device usage
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Physical touch
- Appropriate language
- Political, religious, and personal views
- Treatment of school property
To view the complete list and details of our conduct policy, visit the Substitute Policies and Procedures page.
Preparation Materials
Our preparation videos and articles cover essential topics, such as
- behavior management
- special education
- student safety
- classroom culture
- basic teaching strategies.
These materials may be viewed on the Substitute Preparedness page of our website.
Our website also houses and regularly publishes resources to further substitutes' knowledge and skills. Some examples of recent topics include "Electronic Devices in Schools," "Professional Dress and Conduct," and "De-escalating Student Behaviors." These are shared with substitutes through direct notifications on the platform. To view all our resources for both schools and substitutes, go to the Resources page of our website.
