External developments and intra-professional needs, challenges, and opportunities recommend a workforce research and development agenda. In particular: (a) new models for schools necessitate customized, evidence-based curricula and school/community programs; (b) the effectiveness of every curriculum and program depends on workforce readiness, commitments, competency, adaptability, and retention; (c) the workforce thus is a social determinant for pediatric experiences and outcomes; (d) performance-based accountability requirements for evidence-based and data-informed programs and practices expose workforce-related gaps and illuminate needs for better designs; (e) because one size does not fit all, justifiable variability is a core problem for the profession's members to address; and (f) strategic differentiation among teacher education programs in tandem with specialized school offerings necessitates better quality assurance mechanisms coordinated by state and national professional associations. Improved workforce specialization in service of better outcomes thus necessitates pivotal choices. Place-based, collaborative planning for collective action is a practical necessity.