The Cahill Learning Resources and Media Lab, more popularly known as the Cahill Lab, is a learning community space for current and future credential students in the Graduate College of Education.
We house a comprehensive collection of K-12 instructional resources and materials, including teacher’s curriculum, curriculum kits and manipulatives, children’s literature, test assessments, test preparation books, education theory books, and more. In addition to our learning resources, the Cahill Lab also provides support to credential students who are completing their edTPA/CalTPA requirements, a performance-based assessment for California Teachers.
Resources & Services
Children and Teen Literature
Our collection offers a rich array of fiction and nonfiction literature, including picture books, fairy tales, biographies, poetry, diaries, historical narratives, and nature explorations. Complemented by grade-leveled readers aligned with the Reading, Literacy, and Language Arts Curriculum, our library also features children's Big Books for shared classroom reading experiences. Discover a wealth of multicultural fiction and nonfiction, highlighting diverse cultures and backgrounds. Many of these titles are bilingual, presenting stories in English alongside other languages such as Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and beyond.
Kindergarten-Twelfth Grade Curriculum
Our comprehensive collection comprises teacher and student edition textbooks, practice books, and supplemental materials such as DVDs, CDs, transparencies, flashcards, manipulatives, posters, and charts. Aligned with curriculum adoptions from various local school districts including San Francisco Unified, Oakland Unified, South San Francisco Unified, San Mateo-Foster City, Brisbane, Jefferson Elementary, and Bayshore Elementary, our curriculum resources are curated to meet diverse educational needs.
Education Theory
Our theory collection is a wonderful examination of educational thoughts and practices, and their histories. This section is a hidden gem among our collections, covering diverse topics concerning education: assessment, child development, adult education, multicultural classrooms, reading and literacy, social justice and equity, special education, and mathematics. The Lab's theory books are a great start for student teachers who are interested in researching the philosophies of teaching, learning, classroom organization, educational policy, and so much more.
Teacher Resources and Activities
This section is rich with activity books for subject-specific lesson planning. Student teachers will encounter guided activities for mathematics, art, drama; encyclopedias for Japanese-American or African-American histories; how to aid children's social development; and how to integrate culturally rich lesson plans.
Faculty
Faculty are more than welcome to schedule time and space in the Cahill Lab for their student teachers to explore our collections. These are great events for student teachers to critically examine the curriculum and resources here, and utilize what they find in their developing units and lesson plans.
Study Space
- Large study tables available for all SF State students.
- Course Reserve Materials and Reference Collection: We offer a large selection of books that can help you with projects. We keep some professors’ course reserve materials on hand as well.
- Meeting Space: A number of student programs use the Cahill Learning Resources and Media Lab as a meeting place.
- Office Supplies: Paper cutter, hole puncher, stapler, etc.
Computer Lab
- 16 Apple computers with media editing capability are available for use for SF State students.
The Jane Andrew Cahill and Edvina Andrew Cahill Learning Resources and Media Laboratory is dedicated to two remarkable women. Jane Andrew Cahill was born in Scotland in 1884. As a young woman she moved to Canada where she met her husband, Edward Cahill. Edvina Andrew Cahill was born to them in Vancouver and, at the age of seven, she and her mother moved to San Francisco. After the death of her husband, Jane and Edvina Cahill, both determined and outspoken women, struggled together to make a living. Throughout it all, Jane Cahill encouraged her daughter to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.
Working her way through high school and college, Edvina Cahill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and an elementary education credential from San Francisco State College in 1938. Later, she was a graduate of San Francisco State's first master's program in education. Edvina Cahill devoted 35 years to the children and schools of the San Francisco Unified School District. As an elementary school teacher she taught all the grade levels. As a vice-principal and principal, she worked in some of the most challenging inner city schools and won the admiration of her colleagues, teachers, and most importantly, her students. Her upbringing gave her a special understanding of the difficulties facing working students and students from single-parent families.
In the Spring of 1997, a reception was held to dedicate the Jane Andrew Cahill and Edvina Andrew Cahill Learning Resources and Media Lab in recognition of her generous bequest to San Francisco State University. A portion of her bequest will provide funds for acquisitions and teaching materials for the Cahill Learning Resources and Media Lab. Her bequest will also endow the Jane Andrew Cahill and Edvina Andrew Cahill Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will assist deserving San Francisco State undergraduates as they study to become elementary school teachers. Preference will be given to women and students from single-parent families.
Where is the Cahill Learning Resources and Media Lab?
The Cahill Learning Resources and Media Lab is located on the third floor of the Burk Hall building, room 319.
When is the Cahill Learning Resource and Media Lab Open?
The Cahill Lab is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Occasionally, classes or planned group sessions may be conducted at the Cahill Lab. Dates/times of any reserved events will be posted on our doors, as patrons may be asked to move to another area. Alternate hours may also be posted on our doors for holidays, breaks, and finals week.
Can I study at the Cahill Lab?
Yes, the Cahill Lab is open to all students at SF State. The lab has desks and computers available for student to study. However, please keep in mind, the space is not intended as a quiet space. Patrons and staff are permitted to talk.
How do I check out a GoPro Kit? For how long can a kit be borrowed?
To check out a camera kit, please visit:
Library 80
Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Fall/Spring semesters)
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Winter/Summer semesters)
Camera kits may be checked out for 2 weeks