Faculty & Staff

Dr. Albert leads the Viz Lower School with love, compassion, and joy. This is her tenth year at Visitation Academy and her 30th year in Catholic education. She was a contributing author in the Connected Learning Stories of Change series, with a chapter entitled "Developing Strong Female Leaders." She heads Viz's Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) accreditation process and serves on the ISACS Board's Administrative Services Committee. Dr. Albert earned her master's and doctorate degrees in curriculum from St. Louis University. She loves coming to work at an all-girls school each day!

Bev Byrd joined Viz in 1999 as Upper School technology coordinator and, in 2016, began her current role as Director of Technology. Bev is charged with managing, implementing, and supporting technology at Viz. She is a member of the Association of Leaders in Independent Schools and the International Society for Technology in Education. She has presented at several conferences, including the Midwest Education Technology Community Conference, the Lutheran Educators Conference, and Edcamp. Bev graduated from Maryville University with a BS in management information systems.

Diane Effer has supported the Viz Head of School and the Board of Trustees since January 2014. Diane enjoys doing whatever she can to make sure that these individuals can focus on their core responsibilities and aspires to embody St. Francis de Sales' motto, "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Diane majored in economics at the University of Notre Dame and still loves cheering on the Irish and the TCU horned frogs.

Angie Jung came to Viz in 2007 as an academic tutor, serving in this role for three years before moving into a teaching role in Grades 5 and 6. After four years as an educator, she transitioned to Middle School counselor, and after four years as the Middle School counselor, she transitioned again to her current role as principal. Needless to say, she loves working with middle school-aged children. Angie received a BS in elementary education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MEd in school counseling and psychological examiner certification from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Another thing Mrs. Jung says she loves - the all-girl environment she is fortunate to work in every day.

Jenny Lucas believes the gift of a good education is the greatest gift one can give. Jenny joined the Viz community in 2011 after careers in public accounting and corporate law. As Chief Advancement Officer, she leads the school's fundraising efforts and oversees marketing, communications, and constituent relations. Jenny is a Certified Fundraising Executive. She graduated from Washington University with a BS in business administration and from St. Louis University School of Law. Mrs. Lucas truly enjoys coming to work each day and being part of this vibrant school community!

A proud alumna of the Class of 1989 and mother to two Vivettes, Sharon Spellman has been enjoying her position as Director of Admissions for seven years. After graduating from Visitation in 1989, Sharon matriculated to St. Mary's College to earn a degree in elementary education. She then went to the University of Iowa, earning a master's degree. After a Midwest tour including Minneapolis, Iowa City, and Omaha, Sharon and her family returned to St. Louis in 2003. She says coming home to Viz was her calling after staying home with her four children for 17 years. Mrs. Spellman and her husband love to travel with their kids and have fun outside.

A proud alum, Kara is thrilled to be back home in the Visitation community. Kara holds BSBA and MBA degrees from Creighton University and has spent more than 15 years in corporate finance across the construction and telecommunications industries. She loves her work at Viz and supporting the mission of educating young women to use their unique talents to make the world a better place.