Pencils Down

In his first chapbook Pencils Down, science teacher and poet Wayne Mennecke shares his experiences teaching high school biology on Long Island, NY. Using emails, excuse notes, labs, test questions and answers, he turns everyday exchanges and encounters into poems that examine how the connection between faculty and students can be more meaningful than preparing for the exam. Published by Local Gems Press, Pencils Down was a 2016 finalist in their annual "30 Poems in 30 Days" contest.