Sixth-grade math whiz taking his second calculus class at OCC
Twelve-year-old Ian Konkolesky loves math. The sixth grader at Clawson Middle School is currently taking his second semester of calculus classes at Oakland Community College.
Konkolesky is comfortable at his grade level in other subjects. Math is the last hour at his middle school, so he takes the OCC classes online from school during that hour, or at home. His tests are taken at OCC’s Auburn Hills campus.
“Ian visited my class about four weeks into the summer semester before becoming an official OCC student. I was prepping my students for a test and had given everyone worksheets, and Ian was able to complete them in his first class,” said Mark Hopkins, OCC math instructor who had Konkolesky in his Calc 1 class in Fall 2024. “He reminded me of Doogie Howser. I think the sky’s the limit for a kid like Ian. Nothing can hold him back.”
Ian’s current math instructor is Belle Kimmel, who teaches online Calc 2 at OCC.
“My students submit notes after watching course videos, writing down the steps they take to solve a problem, " she said. "The steps that Ian writes are not typical. He uses a different angle, which I find interesting.”
Incredible talent surfaces early
Konkolesky’s parents first noticed his math talent when he was three or four years old. Whenever they were traveling by car, the young preschooler would ask how many minutes it was until they were home. When he was told, he would immediately convert the number to seconds.
His elementary school teachers could not keep up with his knowledge of mathematics in the classroom. Ian was tested in the fifth grade, which revealed his understanding to be at the level of calculus.
Pre-calculus was “way too easy,” said Ian. “I speed ran it to college.”
“Ian is completely self-motivated,” shared Ian’s father, Bill Konkolesky, who is the Academic Testing Coordinator at OCC. “His mother and I don’t pressure him. We just try to keep up. We support him as much as possible, but it is 100% his thing.”
Ian’s mother, Becky Konkolesky, has a bachelor’s degree in math from Wayne State University. His sister Alexandra (14) is an honor student at Clawson High School.
“When I was about two years old, my sister was playing with a toy cash register that was also a calculator,” recalls Ian. “I started pressing the keys and just figured out math.”
Enjoying diverse interests
Ian enjoys video games, but when his screen time is up, he cracks open a math book. Doing equations is his “go-to” for self-entertainment. He studies about half an hour a day for his classes.
“Math makes me happy. I like a challenge,” he said.
Ian’s father introduced him to the board game Risk a few years ago. After one game, Ian took a deep dive into geography, which is now his second passion. He can identify the flag of any country in the world and can correct national boundaries on an outdated globe.
In addition to his subject expertise, young Ian also loves baking, making cookies, scones and brownies. At two years old, his first sentence was “more chocolate.”
A bright future
At 12, young Ian has no plans at this point for a particular degree or career. It’s too early.
“Someone who is that brilliant in one subject will do well in anything he sets his mind to,” said Kimmel.
“Math is part of Ian's core self,” adds Bill. “He sees math as a puzzle, or a game. He’s ready to absorb anything.”
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training and expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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