I wish 9‑year-old Marko Calasan had the office next to mine. Then when something goes wrong with my computer — through no fault of my own, I assure you — I could yell “Hey Marko, come fix this!” Alas, he lives in Macedonia.
The CNET website has a nice profile of this genius. We learn that Marko is “perhaps” the youngest system engineer Microsoft has ever certified. He snagged his first credential as a systems administrator when just six.
Marko works for a living. He remotely manages a computer network for a nonprofit organization. The employees tell him they are “very glad that that there is a good administrator.” But he seems a little unsure of it, saying, “I think that’s true, but who knows.”
Marko also teaches computing to other kids at his school. When I heard this my spidey sense tingled ferociously. What? Has he put in his years at a teaching college? Mastered the latest labyrinthine educational theories? Where’s his teaching certificate? The kid’s an outlaw!! At least, he would be stateside.
Marko works when he works and plays when he plays. He doesn’t indulge in computer games because, as he puts it, “there is nothing serious about playing games on computers.… If you want to play, go outside and play with your friends.”
Yes sir! I will do that.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
3 replies on “High Marks for Marko”
Paul, Marko is 9 years old. He’s clever with a computer. But a 9 year old nevertheless. It’s an ability to be sure. But don’t be so thrilled about it. It’s likely there are any number of children in this country with similar abilities. They are not outlaws. You just don’t hear about them.
This world is teaming with smart childen now days that can add, subtract, multiply, and divide at age six, but, in many neighborhoods, do not know what it is like to put away the computer and go out to play. Many parents don’t trust the out of doors even on a lovely summer afternoon or evening. It is good to hear that a child somewhere still knows how to run and play.
Oh, go ahead and be thrilled, Paul. It’s a great story. And I think Cheryl is missing the import of your sardonic reference to Marko as an “outlaw”; it’s a comment on ludicrous requirements for being a teacher.