1. One way of learning is to apprentice to a master craftsman. Another way is to figure out things on your own. Yet another way is to take stuff you think you already know and try to explain it to people that knows less than you. None is better than the other, and each has it's unique insights. Maybe you currently don't have some greyback to follow and learn from, but when you find your teacher, you will be able to pick up more of what he says by virtue of having experienced first hand what he's talking about.

2. Kid, life's a marathon, not a sprint. It is pretty much irrelevant if your options will vest now or in a couple of months. What you really need to be in the look out is for dishonest leadership. If this is a one off event, all is OK. But if it is a trend of the founders failing to respect previous commitments to employees... you don't want to waste your time around that kind of people.

3. Assuming healthy leadership, it sounds like you have earned a key role in that company. You probably want to part in good terms and maybe work with those people again, so please speak with your manager about your concerns. Maybe something can be arranged, maybe not. Maybe you can negotiate a better deal if you feel your responsibilities have grown faster than your compensation. But whatever is the end result, your creed as a professional will be much better if you speak beforehand than if the first time your boss hears about your dissatisfaction is the same day you give notice.