It does no good to use a mythic past as a weapon against the present. It does no good to use the present as a millstone rather than a milestone for the future. Schools have never been isolated ivory towers. They have always been rocked by the waves lapping about them. No being an educator is not easy.
Some failure is inevitable.
We all are fallible human beings. But, such imperfect that should not be used as an excuse, a rationalization, and explanation for not making the attempt to reach out to each and every young person. Going back to the emergency room analogy.