12:52 PM EST on Wednesday, December 15, 2004

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS

Interactive Partner

A New Jersey high school teacher was suspended for a week after speaking out about the behavior of boy-next-door Clay Aiken during a recent appearance in Washington Township.

English teacher Susan Barry sent an e-mail to www.gawker.com about Aiken's behavior Thursday when Clearview Regional High's Vocal Ensemble was to sing with Aiken at a concert.

He reneged on a promise to sign autographs, sent security guards after students who took photos, stiffed the vocal group on a $500 donation and berated one teacher (who happened to be the New Jersey Teacher of the Year) after she stood up to him, according to Barry's e-mail. -- KNIGHT RIDDER