<![CDATA[Pam Hubler - Blog]]>Wed, 20 May 2026 18:49:43 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Tap Into the Future with NFC Social Media Tags]]>Thu, 14 May 2026 11:59:52 GMThttps://spedtechgeek.weebly.com/blog/tap-into-the-future-with-nfc-social-media-tagsNo More Business Cards!
In the world of educational professional development, networking should be as seamless as possible. Instead of fumbling with business cards or spelling out social media handles, imagine simply tapping your keychain to a teacher’s phone to instantly share your team’s Linktree, Instagram, or booking page. Using an H2D 3D printer, some affordable NTAG215 stickers, and a bit of creativity, our team did just that! Here is how you can create these high-tech "digital business cards" for your school or district.

🛠️The Gear List

To get started, you’ll need a few specific supplies. We opted for these because they are durable, affordable, and easy to assemble:
  • NFC Tags: NTAG215 Blank Stickers (504 Bytes). These are rewritable and compatible with almost all smartphones.
  • ​Keychains: LEOBRO Keychain Making Kit. This kit includes lobster clasps and rings, giving the tags a professional, retail-ready feel.
  • 3D Printer: We used our new H2D 3D printer. It is amazing how clean the prints are with this device! Being able to print in multiple colors is a game-changer! 
  • The Files: No need to start from scratch! We headed to Makerworld.com to find ready-made NFC coin-holder files.  Once you find one, you can clone it to print a bunch at one time. I did 9 at once so our entire team could each have one. One day, I'll learn how to create things like this from scratch, but apparently my brain doesn't work well in 3D spaces. LOL! 
  • ​NFC app: We used the NFC Tools app by Wakdev. It was very easy to use to "record" the sites then "write" them onto the tags quickly.

🚀 The 3-Step Process

1. 3D Print Your Tag Housing
Search Makerworld for "NFC Social Media Keychain." Look for designs specifically intended for the size tag you purchase.  The great thing about premade files is that the "pause" is built in already. That's what you need in order to put the NFC tag inside the housing you choose. 

​Pro Tip: Use your school colors or team branding! If your printer supports multi-color (like the H2D with an AMS), you can even embed your logo directly onto the plastic face.

2. Program Your TagsBefore you seal the tags into their 3D-printed homes, you need to "teach" them where to go.
  1. Download a free app like NFC Tools on your smartphone
  2. Select Write -> Add a record -> URL
  3. Paste your team’s Linktree, Twitter, or Website URL
  4. Tap "Write" and hold your NTAG215 sticker to the back of your phone
3. Assembly (done when you file pauses):
  • Peel the adhesive backing off your programmed NFC sticker
  • Place it inside the 3D-printed slot
  • Continue the print so it encloses your housing
  • Attach the LEOBRO lobster clasp so you can clip it anywhere. We will attach them to our backpacks or badges so we have them everytime we are in school buildings working with teachers and students. 

💡​Give it a Try! 

If you’ve got a 3D printer in your building, this is such a fun quick project to dive into. It’s a low-cost way to show off your team’s tech-savvy side and make it easier for your connections to follow your social media platforms to stay in the loop! 
Have questions about how you might use this idea? Drop a comment below or tap our tags next time you see us!
]]><![CDATA[Time to Get Organized! FREE 2026-2027 Calendar Templates.]]>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:55:05 GMThttps://spedtechgeek.weebly.com/blog/time-to-get-organized-free-2026-2027-calendar-templatesYour Favorite Daily Tracker and Monthly Calendar is Back! 
I​t is officially that time of year again! As we start looking toward the 2026-2027 school year, I know how overwhelming the "to-do" list can feel. Whether you are an instructional coach balancing multiple buildings or a teacher trying to stay ahead of the curve, having a solid system in place is the only way to keep the chaos at bay.

If you’ve followed the blog for a while, you know I live and breathe by my Google Sheets trackers. I’ve updated my favorite tools for the upcoming year, and just like last year, I’m sharing them here for FREE! I can’t bring myself to make educators pay for things I’m already using myself, so I hope these help you hit the ground running.

✅ The Monthly Calendar Template
This is the "big picture" hub for high-level planning, tracking shared resources, and seeing your month at a glance. My team still uses this for everything. It functions as our digital master planner where we track group activities, deadlines, and major initiatives. You name it... It's on there. It's way easier than finding things in our team Google Drive! 

✅ The Weekly Planning & Daily Tracker 
This template helps you break down those big goals into manageable daily/weekly tasks. It's best for daily accountability, tracking mileage (formatted for you), and quick access to project links or to-do lists. 
I use this to plan my school visits, keep my daily to-do list, and link ALL my documents.  
​New for 2026-2027: I’ve updated the dates and added a few tweaks to the layout to make scrolling through the month even smoother.
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​Tips for a Successful Year

  • Hyperlink Everything: Don't waste time searching Drive! Link your meeting notes, presentation slides, and data sheets directly into the "Notes" section of your tracker on on the day you will use it.
  • Stay Flexible: Plans in education change by the hour. These templates are meant to be a guide, so feel free to drag, drop, and delete as needed! 
  • Collaborate: If you’re on a coaching team, share the Monthly Calendar. It’s a game-changer for knowing where everyone is without having to send a dozen "Are you free?" texts.

I hope these templates give you a solid foundation for the year ahead. If you use them, I’d love to see your "spin" on them! Tag me on X/Twitter @specialtechie or leave a comment below.😁

Happy Planning!~ Pam
]]><![CDATA[SpedTechGeek is Moving to a New Spot!]]>Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:45:58 GMThttps://spedtechgeek.weebly.com/blog/spedtechgeek-is-moving-to-a-new-spotMy Site is Changing! 
Hey SpedTechGeek friends!  My #Oneword for the year is RENEW, so I've been making more time to remove things from my life that take time (or money) away from what's most important! That being said, I’m selling the spedtechgeek.com domain and moving all my tech tips, special ed resources, and tech geek goodness to my original Weebly Site (spedtechgeek.com/weebly). Don’t worry—this just means a new address for all my content, and I’m here to make sure you can still get your fix!

Nothing’s changing about the heart of SpedTechGeek. You’ll still find all the same instructional technology tips, tricks, and resources. This move just helps me keep things simple so I can focus on creating content without spending the extra money.

How to Stay Connected

To stay in the loop:
  • Swap Your Blog Bookmark: Update your browser to (https://www.spedtechgeek.com/weebly) so you can jump right to the latest posts - which I will be doing more often, I promise!
  • Follow Me on X: I’m super active on X as @specialtechie (https://x.com/specialtechie), where I share educational content, quick tips, and updates. Hit that follow button!​​​​​
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​Most Importantly... 
​Follow the BCSD Innovation Squad on Instragram and YouTube for tech tips and podcast I'm a part of with my fabulous coworkers as an Innovative Learning Coordinator in Berkeley County School District in Charleston, South Carolina. ​
Thanks for sticking with me!
Ya'll make the educational community so special, so I’m excited to keep sharing with you!
Still have questions? Shoot me a message on X.  I’m always here to chat!

As always, thanks for reading! ~Pam ​
]]><![CDATA[2025-2026 Planning Calendar for Coaches and Educators]]>Mon, 05 May 2025 15:05:39 GMThttps://spedtechgeek.weebly.com/blog/2025-2026-planning-calendar-for-coaches-and-educatorsPlanning Calendar for Coaches and Educators​
It’s been a while since my last post, and I sincerely apologize for my absence. Y'all know life in education can get busy, but I’m back, and I’m excited to share some valuable resources with you!

As we wrap up the 2024-2025 school year and gear up for 2025-2026, it’s essential to have a solid planning calendar in place. A well-structured calendar helps coaches and educators stay organized, set attainable goals, and maximize student engagement throughout the year.
​

What's New This Year? 

This year, I’ve included some FREE fresh templates that you can customize to fit your needs. Check them out below!
  • Monthly Overview Template: Perfect for outlining key events, deadlines, and initiatives for the entire year! My team still uses this calendar for EVERYTHING! It basically works as a digital planner for all of us. 
  • Weekly Planning Template: Helps you break down your goals into manageable weekly tasks. I plan out all my school visits and projects using this sheet. If I have a to-do list, it's on here as well, including links to the documents and projects I'm working on. Each tab has the entire month displayed horizontally so you can scroll through everything for the month on one tab. ​

Tips for Effective Planning

  1. Set Clear Goals: Use your templates to outline specific, measurable goals for the year.
  2. Stay Flexible: Remember that plans may change, and being adaptable is key to success.
  3. Collaborate: Engage with colleagues to share ideas and resources that can enhance your planning.
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I hope this updated planning calendar and the new templates offer you a solid foundation for the upcoming school year. Let’s make 2025-2026 our best school year yet!
I have an extra sheet layout for reflections (using the SWOT strategy) and PD tracking if you're interested. Just fill out this form and I'll send you an updated link that includes that page. 
I hope y'all finish out your year well and have a wonderful summer! Please reach out on your favorite social media platform if you have any template requests or ideas for a new blog post. 🤩Pam 
]]><![CDATA[2024-2025 Planning Calendar for Coaches or Educators]]>Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:26:50 GMThttps://spedtechgeek.weebly.com/blog/2024-2025-planning-calendar-for-coaches-or-educatorsEvery year, I create two calendars that I use EVERY DAY! Since it takes some time to set up, I always share so others don't have to do the same thing.  #SharingIsCaring
If you are interested, click on the images below to make a copy for yourself! If you find it useful, please leave a comment or share this post on social media. 😀​

🗓️​ Group Planning Calendar

My team uses this calendar to keep track of all our group activities, especially since we are in different schools every day. We also have a technology truck that is scheduled on this document so we know where it is, who is on it, and what days are still open if someone wants to book the truck.
​The checkout list on the right is so we know what tech items are out in the schools.
C lick below for a FREE Google Sheets template to use with your team or school!  
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📋​ Daily Tracker for Instructional Coaches or Educators

I use this tracker to plan out my days on a monthly basis. Once I have details finalized, I will also put it on my Outlook calendar. It may seem redundant, but I like to be able to make tentative plans for the entire month on one "page" so it's easy to see open spots. It's also really nice if you need to see how you are spending your time or need an accountability document to share with administration or anyone who you report to.  Click the image below for a FREE template!
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Here's an example of how I use mine to plan my days, keep track of mileage, and get to links quickly. Reach out if you have any questions or need ideas! 
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I hope you can use the templates! I just can't bring myself to make educators pay for things that I'm using myself, so enjoy and share this post with anyone you think can benefit! You can also check out the original blog post here (the why behind the planner).  Happy Planning! ~Pam 
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