Which is better, to be an effective teacher or to be an efficient teacher? This is the question that always test how good a teacher is in her chosen profession but what is the difference between the two words?

From the definition of Dictionary.com;

Effective (adj.): Adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result.

Efficient (adj.) Performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort.

From Peter Drucker,an Austrian Educator:

“Efficiency means doing things right while effectiveness is doing the right things.”

From the meanings, it can be concluded that both kind of teachers have positive attitude in teaching but the difference is the purpose of the actions. The purpose of an efficient teacher is to do the right thing correctly to comply in the works to be done. Activities that describe an efficient teacher are maybe, submitting of reports on time, preparing of complete school forms, setting classroom rules to follow and keeping all the students records for grading purposes. In other words, this kind of teacher is a work-oriented person.

The purpose of an effective teacher is focused on the kind of learners that he will produce. He makes sure that there is mastery of learning every day. And aside from mastering the day’s lesson, he wants that the learnings still remain in the minds of his learners as they grow up and become a responsible citizen of a community. This kind of teacher is a people-oriented person.

From the gathered meanings, effectiveness and efficiency have their own importance. We need not to choose…but it is better to use these both words in our work places to achieve our goals.

By: Joy Marie A. Salvador | Teacher II | Duale Elementary School | Limay, Bataan