Prior to being named assistant superintendent for school accountability, McNichols served five years as principal at Jamestown Elementary. He previously served as an elementary building principal in the Kirkwood School District, and as a middle school assistant principal in the Clayton School District. He also served as the program coordinator for three years for the Mid-County YMCA in Brentwood.

McNichols has experience teaching students in both fifth and eighth grades. He received his Doctor of Education and Masters of Education degrees from University of Missouri-St. Louis. He received his undergraduate degree in elementary education from Central Missouri State University. Last year, the St. Louis American Foundation presented McNichols with an Salute to Excellence in Education Award.