No, she was correct. Affect is always a verb (as in to cause a consequence). Effect is mostly a noun except in the following circumstances:
3rd person present: effects; past tense: effected; past participle: effected; gerund or present participle: effecting cause (something) to happen; bring about i.e. "nature always effected a cure"
Proper English can get out of hand. This is one of those times.
Liberals are a clear and present danger to our nation
Pick your enemies carefully.