Matthew T. Avila, Ph.D., J.D. joined the Fort Worth ISD Board of Education in May 2013.
Dr. Avila holds a doctorate in behavioral medicine as well as a law degree.
His undergraduate degree – in psychology – is from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed post-graduate work at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and graduated magna cum laude from the Texas Wesleyan University School of Law.
He is vice-president for legal affairs for Thomas S. Byrne, Ltd., a Fort Worth based commercial construction firm.
Dr. Avila has extensive professional and teaching experience at the university level, including work at The University of North Texas Health Science Center’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland Baltimore County, among others.
He is widely published in a multitude of academic journals and has made numerous presentations regarding the study, diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. He is also the author of conference abstracts and a frequent contributor to medical textbooks and studies.
Dr. Avila is active in the Fort Worth community, having served on the boards of the Mental Health Association of Tarrant County, The Art Station, Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Project Fort Worth Talks, and the Depression Connection Team. He has also served on the FWISD Human Relations Committee and the Steering Committee for the Mental Health Connection of Tarrant County.
He currently serves as president of the Byrne Foundation. He was a member of the Texas Wesleyan Innocence Project from 2011-2012.
Dr. Avila is an eight year resident of Fort Worth, living in the Berkeley neighborhood with his wife and family. His two children attend Lily B. Clayton Elementary School.
Recent Student/School Accomplishments:
- Five Fort Worth ISD biology students from R.L. Paschal High School have been selected as semi-finalists in the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO.) The USABO is the premiere biology competition for high school students in the United States.
- Rosemont Elementary School is setting for announcement that Fort Worth ISD will work with City of Fort Worth and Fort Worth Police Department's Code Blue: Citizens On Patrol to provide innovative and community-based security "eyes and ears" at FWISD elementary schools, beginning in August, 2013.
- South Hills High School's Phyllis King was honored as the 2013 Angela D. Paulos Chair for Teaching Excellence in Visual Arts.
- The Fort Worth After School program at Rosemont Middle School was awarded grants from the Afterschool Centers on Education and Texas Education Agency.
- Rosemont Elementary School was opened in August 2011.
- Comerica Bank established a Youth Savings program at George C. Clarke Elementary School in 2012.
- George C. Clarke Elementary School held its second annual Fun Run/Walk promoting healthy lifestyles and choices on October 12, 2012.
- Five students from Paschal High School will compete in the national finals of the 2013 National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.